Britain’s Profound Concern

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20512, 31 May 1938, Page 9

Britain’s Profound Concern

Other questions concerned the bombing of Alicante, Mr Chamberlain replying that he recalled that Britain had on more than one occasion expressed to both sides in Spain its profound concern at the intensification of aerial bombardment, resulting in serious loss of civilian life, and had drawn attention to the universally-accepted principle that the aerial bombardment of military objectives was alone admissible.

“ While I have not sufficient information at my disposal to judge what were the objectives on this occasion,” said Mr Chamberlain. “ I desire to take this opportunity of repeating how profoundly Britain deplores the maiming and deaths of defenceless civilians.”

NON-INTERVENTION PLAN GOOD PROGRESS MADE BRITISH FORMULA ACCEPTED SOVIET DELEGATE STANDS OUT (Ofßclai Wlr» eii)

(Received May 31, 1 p m.) RUGBY, May 30 Mr R. A. Butler told the House of Commons that at the last meeting of the chairman’s sub-committee of the Non-Intervention Committee that very considerable progress had been mads. All the Governments concerned had accepted the British formula, furnishing a definition of “ substantial progress ” in the withdrawal of foreign volunteers provided for in the British plan. Three new proposals were .put forward last week by the British representative, designed to dispose of the difficulties which had arisen in connection with the date for the restoration of observation, the balancing of the sea and land observation schemes, and the method of withdrawing volunteers. These proposals had been accepted by all the representatives present except the Soviet delegate. Agreement had also been reached on nearly all the provisions of the draft resolution, apart from a number of reservations on the part of the Soviet. Mr Butler added that further meetings of the sub-committee had been fixed for this week, when he earnestly hoped the progress recorded at the last meeting would be consolidated by the adherence of the Soviet. Replying to a supplementary question. Mr Butler said Britain was attempting to obtain the adherence of the Soviet.