A TENSE SESSION.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20256, 27 July 1937, Page 7

A TENSE SESSION.

NON-INTERVENTION COMMITTEE

ITALY COMPLAINS OF MISREPRESENTATION THE RUSSIAN DELEGATE CAUSES CONSTERNATION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright.) (Received July 27, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 26. At the meeting of the chairman’s sub-committee of the Non-intervention Committee heated exchanges marked the unusually tense session. Count Grandi complained bitterly that Italy’s attitude had been misrepresented by the press, especially in France. Italy simply wished to discuss the points of the British plan in the order in which they were submitted, and was willing to accept Point 7, relating to the withdrawal of volunteers, if and when the other Powers accepted Points 1 to 6 relating to belligerent rights and the control system. Others aimed at wrecking the British plan, but, lacking the courage to do so openly, hoped to push the responsibility on somebody else. Count Grandi then made a veiled attack on Russia, accusing her of delaying the Committee’s work with the object of helping the “Reds” and embittering the relations of the great Mediterranean Powers.

Italy considered that too much time had already been squandered in useless discussions, and was prepared to reply at every meeting to every point in the British proposals provided the other delegates did the same. M. Maisky caused consternation in the committee by declaring that the Soviet in no circumstances would agree to the granting of belligerent rights to General Franco, but it is believed that he spoke in the heat of the discussion, and did not necessarily convey the Soviet’s final word.

M. Corbin, resenting Count Grandi’s attack on the French press, retorted that it had not been muzzled, and enjoyed freedom. Opinion could not be cowed into uniformity like that in Italy.

Lord Plymouth, replying to Count Grandi, pointed out that Britain set no store by the order in which the points appeared.