The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-08-02
Inviting Long Discussion
(New York Times)


 On the eve of the first anniversary of the out break of the garrison revolt which developed into the present involved conflict in Spain, Great Britain con- tnues lead in international efforts to prevent the spread of the beyond the Pyrenees The twenty lseven countries represented on the London Non- Intervention Committee by unanimously accepting as la basis of discussion" the British compromise pro- posas took the first and least difficult step toward ending the international deadlock. Until it is known, however whether the difficult next steps are realzable there be that the program will ever be put into effect. Meanwhile it will supply ample material for prolonged intergovernmenta ex- changes.
 The plan is attempt to satisfy all of the major conflicting interests involved Italy and Germany are to be back to cooperationat least nominaly by the grant of belligerent rights to the Salamanca las well as Valencia Government France and Russia to be induced to make this dstastefu concession by the proviso that it is not to become operative until lafter arrangements for the withdrawal of foreign nationals working satisfactorily and withdrawal in fact has made substantial progress. The British Government asks that it be authorized to enter into discussion with the two parties in Spain to secure their assent to the proposed arrangements.
 The recognition of the bellgerency of both regimes in Spain would confer moral victory Franco, who has been insistent begeren status. It would also give him military advantage over the Loyasts The former grant to both sides of "a defacto inter- national character in respect to the rights and duties legal warfare would permit both under prescribed circumstances to search ana SelZe SnlpS DOuIlu Spain and-so far each has the power-to estab- lsh blockades of the ports of the other. But since Franco has the larger number of vessels he woud have gained than Valencia. Hence it is doubtful whether the atters assent can be secured for this part of the plan.
 The evacuation of foreign volunteers" will pre- sent nearly insurmountable hurdles. The fact that the technical subcommittee to which this subject was referred found it necessary to list nine categorles of such volunteers" shows the complexity of the prob lem. Agreement to who should be included under these headings requires prerequisite degree of confidence between the two regimes and their friends outside which has hitherto been lacking, and which is not to be expected On the contrary Ger many and Italy are likely to continue to hold that this is not suitable time to begin evacuation, and that it should therefore follow not precede recogni ton of beligerency Reversal in the order of the British plan would destroy it's value and invite it's re- jection by France and Russia
 | The other provisions of the program are less con- troversal: continuation of the system of international control Spans land frontiers; abolition of the sea control (neutra observers however remaining or foreign vessels trading with Span) to be replaced by a system of international supervision in Spanish ports; and study of the possibility of placing neutra observers selected Spanish arports These present insuperable obstacles provided only the two Gov ernments in Spain prove willing to cooperate The test would after the international commit tee gave it's approval to the scheme as whole, the first move under which would be the establishment of neutral officers in Spanish ports of entry
 1 Surpassing in importance all technical questions raised by the British proposals is that ardenty de- bated in the British press Is the policy of delay o which this plan is only the latest phase diminishing the chances of eventual international conflict oi 1 is it permitting the Fascist Powers to continue tc blackmail the democratic States and to weaken and perhaps destroy the Valencia Government?