Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-10-21

wur to borders of that country.
Neutrality patrol set up to limit
totD of men and munitions into
Spanish ports was distinguished by
its lack OF success.
BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, October 21.-British Off
cials began work today on proposals
for sending an international commits
sion to tabulate the number of foreign
warriors in Spain and see that they
are withdrawn.
The plan will be submitted to the
Spanish Neutrality Subcommitte to-
morrow.
At the same time the committee is
expected to decide whether the first
Withdrawals shall be in equal NUMBERS
from each side of the civil war.
There was more than suspicion
In London that Chancellor Hitler OF
Germany was responsible for the
change in Italy's opposition to
evacuation of the outsiders from
Spain-a development yesterday
which was viewed widely as easing
q serious threat to general European
peace.
Newspapers Suggestion.
Some London newspapers suggested
that Hitler-since he was not ready
to risk war-had told Premier Musso-
lini of Italy to moderate his stand
after Joachim Won Ribbentrop, Ger
man Ambassador to London, flew to
Germany Monday and apparently re-
ported that France and Britain meant
business
The about-face apparently was a
demonstration of the Rome-Berlin
friendship axis but one that for a
change was welcomed in Paris and
London.
Italy's withdrawal of objections to
the British-F French plan for retire
ment of alien troops resulted in shoot
ing up prices in the London stock
market. The same optimism was re-
fected in most European quarters.
Eden Thanks Italy.
Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden,
addressing Commons at the opening
of the Fall session, today thanked
Italy for making at the eleventh
hour" her new and very welcome"
contribution to Europe's program OF
non-intervention in Spain. He reiter-
ated. however, Britain's determination
"to maintain right of way on this
main arterial road"-the Mediter-
ranean.
Britain, united, he continued, in
wanting the government to take no
sides in a purely Spanish matter, but
''there will be no indifference on the
part of the British government where
it is clear that vital British interests
are concerned"-(such as protection
of her Mediterranean route to her
colonies.
The foreign secretary declared both
italy and Germany had substantially
modified their views" on the relation
of withdrawal of volunteers from
Spain and the granting of belligerent
rights to the Spanish combatants.
Calls 1t Acceptable Plan"
He added that the Italians had pro-
posed the acceptable plan" for de-
Gliding on the proportions of with
drawal of foreign volunteers from
either army on the basis of figures
to be submitted by a commission to
be sent to Spain.
Turning to the Far Eastern situa-
ton, Eden pledged Britain's deter
mination to do everything in its
power to insure success" of the No
vember 80 nine-power conference in
Brussels which will attempt to medi-
ate the Chinese-Japanese war. He
said Italy would send delegation and
that French Foreign Minister WON
Delbos would represent France
Editorials of virtually all London
newspapers voiced relief that Britain
and France had not been forced to
call what they described as "Italy,s
bluff"-which might have resulted
from failure of the non-intervention
talks.
The Herald said the sudden change
was due to strong pressure from the
German government, which was dis
mayed by the thought that the French
and perhaps the British governments
might take strong action If there were
a complete breakdown"
Sincerity Questioned.
At the same time the anti-govern-
ment press questioned the sincerity of
the Italian move and asked If it were
not merely a stall for time in order to
permit the Spanish insurgents, aided
by Italy, to complete its Northern
campaign and then move in force on
Madrid.
Informed sources said Eden prob
ably would be subjected to heavy crit
icism by the governments parliament
tary opposition along just that line
It was pointed out that anything
might happen during the time it will
take the proposed commission tc
inspect the fronts in Spain and set ur
the evacuation machinery.
The insurgent sea blockade Of the
Spanish governments northwestern
port, Gijon continued to net foreign
shipping. While the insurgent army
forced the port city to surrender
Lloyd's received report that the
British steamer Stangrove, repeatedly
captured by an insurgent trawler OF
Gijon yesterday, had been released or
demand of the British cruiser South
ampton.
Should Generalissimo Francisco
Franco be granted belligerent right
he will have the power to search anc
seize suspected contraband carriert