16 OCTOBER 1936, Page 1

Non-Intervention Allegations The policy of non-intervention in the Spanish initiated

by M. Blum and warmly supported by this country, has unquestionably justified itself. The opposite policy would have caused serious trouble even here, and would have split France in half. More than that, the Spanish Government -74.bu1d Probably have 'lost :."On-- balance, for Germany and Italy would have displayed much more vigour in arming the insurgents for reasons of policy than Britain and France would have in supplying the Government in ,the ordinary way of trade. But that is true, of course, only if the non-intervention pledges given by the countries sitting on the non-intervention 'committee -in London are being substantially honoured. Full provision has been made for having any alleged breach 'of thein reported and investigated, and the British Government has gone so far as to adopt, and bring before the committee, various charges made by the Government at Madrid. That being so, it is unfortunate that the Soviet Government, disregarding the procedure agreed bn, should, apparently without bringing forward any specific allegations, have. broadcast in a tone of menace general charges against other States represented on the committee. Russia has now demanded that the coasts of Portugal be patrolled by British and French warships. Portugal appears to accept international control of her land frontier, on condition., that a similar measure is applied to the Spanish Government centres, Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante. That would be a reasonable bargain.

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