Evening star., 1936-10-24

headway" in mapping out plans 10 IN
sure more effective non-intervention.
The two items on the days agenda
were consideration of new supervisory
powers for the committee and "eluci-
dation" Of the Soviet announcement
that it could not be bound by the
neutrality agreement to any greater
extent than the powers which it has
accused of breaking it.
Although he did not give this "elu-
cidation," Maisky, on the inSiStence
of the italian delegate, agreed to get in
touch with Moscow and ask if some
hint of the Kremlin's intention in
Spain can be disclosed.
Dino Grandi, Italian Ambassador to
London, told the subcommittee it was
useless at this stage to consider new
regulatory powers unless the other
states know what the Russians plan
to do.
Soviet Proposal Declined.
Lord Plymouth, the British nom
intervention chairman, again declined
to consider the Soviet proposal for an
Anglo-French naval patrol of the
Portuguese coast because Portugal's
reply to the first suggestion has not
yet been studied by other countries.
Calheiros, still scoffing at the Soviet
declaration, declared: 1T still Is
bluff-as usual"
Reiteration Of the previous Soviet
blockage proposal was made by AM
bassador Maisky shortly before the
subcommittee assembled.
The situation resolved itself, there
FORE into a case of both factions on
the committee playing waiting game.
1t was learned authoritatively that
Germany, Italy and Portugal intend
to watch for concrete evidence as to
whether the Soviets are sending arms
to Spain before making final de-
cision on their own action.
Reiteration of the previous Soviet
blockade proposal was made by Am
bassador Maisky shortly before the
subcommittee assembled.
(The previous Soviet demand had
been declined consideration by the
Non-Intervention Committee until the
Portuguese answered charges ports
controlled by Lisbon were being used
as gateways for assistance to the
Spanish Fascists. The Lisbon reply
was received last night, but its details
remained undisclosed)
Maisky declined to say whether his
nation would ship arms and munition
to aid the Madrid government in the
event of collapse of the 27-nation
neutrality agreement.
Maisky explained the puzzling Soviet
statement laid before the committee
yesterday was a working principle
by which the U. S. S. r. was to be
guided in regard to Spain"
The Russian declaration, asserting
the right to a free hand in arms
trade and equal rights in maintenance
or disregard of neutrality with other
nations. perplexed diplomats for a
concrete Interpretation. None was
forthcoming.
Another development which tangled
the neutrality crisis was Portuguese
severance of diplomatic relations with
Spain after the committee yesterday
postponed action on the blockade.
Italy was reported considering with
drawal from the neutrality group
today.
The Soviets. at the outset of yes
terday's meeting. dropped new
bombShell into the crisis by inform
ing delegates the Moscow government
cannot consider abiding by the neu-
trality pact Ito any greater extent
than any of the remaining partici-
pants"
further. Puzzled diplomats scanned
the language in an attempt to answer
the question: HAS the Soviet with
drawn or not?" The answers varied.
Russia's Stand Is Interpreted.
Qn Moscow competent observers
expressed belief Russia is in and
Russia is out" and whatever happens
depends on developments)
The assembled delegates gathered
some hope from the fact the Rus.
slams had not walked out Of the ses-
sion, while Francisco Calheiros, Portu-
guese representative, called the Soviet
declaration 'just a bluf1" with plenty
of loopholes left.
Lisbon ordered the Portuguese
Charge dAffaires at Alicante, Spain,
to return home at the same time an
official note was handed to the Span
ish Ambassador.
(The reason for the severance was
not disclosed, although Portugal re-
served the right to publish its ex-
PLANTATION at later date.)
MADRID PREPARES FOR RAID.
MADRID, October a (H.-Shaken by
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