Evening star., 1937-10-03
Parley Invitation
Carries Strong
Demand.
ROME ANSWER
is DUE TODAY
League Refuses to
Back Paris and
London.
BACKGROUND

and large shipments OF italian
arms to the Spanish Fascist leader
hare giuen insurgents past Gd-
pantage in recent fighting in
Spanish ciuil mar. Britain aud
France reported Threatening to
end non-interrention system un-
less Italy recalls its armed forces.
Opening OF French frontier to arms
aud volunteers for Loydlist Spain
mould prouide Valencia government
NTH greatly needed additional
strength to meet advancing rebel
armies
By the Associated Press.
LONDON, October 2.-Great Britain
and France flung down the gauntlet
to Italy today for the evacuation OF
Italians fighting in Spain.
1t was the second time in a month
italy was faced with a strong demand
from the two countries for settling a
specific and vital issue of the Span
ish civil war.
Simultaneously, Soviet Russia in a
sudden note demanded arms be per-
mitted to be shipped to the Spanish
government and abolition of the en-
tire Spanish non-intervention scheme.
In Geneva. the League Assem-
bly, failed by Two votes to give the
necessary unanimous approval to
resolution threatening the end of
non-intervention in Spain unless
foreign volunteers we're withdrawn.
Albania and Portugal voted against
the resolution and II countries
abstained)
Britain and France were prepared
10 back their demand to Italy by
action-just as at the recent Nyon
conference to sweep pirate" subma-
xines from the Mediterranean.
Warning to Italy Ordered.
The British and French ENJOYS in
Rome were ordered to warn Italy that
the continued presence Of Italians in
territory held by Insurgent Generals
simo Francisco Franco menaced their
interests and increased danger of a
European war
The Anglo-French action was taken
with the presentation in a joint note
OF an invitation to Italy to reach
solution of the Spanish problem in
. tri-power conference.
British Ambassador Lord Perth and
French Charge d'Affaires j. F. Blondel
delivered the invitation in Rome today
and discussed the situation for 80 min
utes with Foreign Minister Count
Galeazzo Ciano.
Strong Representations Reported.
Rome advices said it was understood
The diplomats each made verbal repre-
sentations of rather strong nature"
to induce Italy to join the proposed
conference.
The Italian answer was expected to
be issued tomorrow in communique
While the invitation was couched
In moderate terms, Italy was given to
understand that refusal to collaborate
with Britain and France would force
them to reconsider their policy to-
ward Spain" and take action
The first stage of such action, OBJ
servers said. undoubtedly would be the
reopening of the Franco-Spanish bor-
der to the flow of munitions and men
Soviet Rejects Technical Plan.
The Russian note, sent to Lord
Plymouth, chairman of the 27-Nation
Non-intervention Committee, was a
rejection of plan submitted by tech
nical advisers of the committee re-
Gently to rebuild the non-intervention
system.
1t said the old nom intervention
patrol ceased to be effective when
France and Britain withdrew their
varships, following similar action by
Germany and Italy, and demanded
abandonment of the entire non-inter-
yention scheme.
The note came as bombshell and
was described by some quarters as "a
maneuver to anger Italy"
Italian quarters scoffed at the pro-
posed tri-poWer talks and insisted the
Non-Intervention Committee in Lon
don as the proper place to deal with
the Spanish problem.