Evening star., 1937-10-14
TWO POWERS ACT
. DOCUMENTARY
|. IN bALEAR|C ISLES
French and British Stats
ColIaborate on Move
to Bar Seizure.
COMBINED WAR FLEET
EXPECTED AT MINORCA
Support of Greece and Yugoslavia
Is Expected-Intervention
Obstacles Seen.
BACKGROUND

ohS n h1AOONO-
Great Britain and France met
polite but firm refusal on imitation
to Italy to attend three-poUer dis
cussion OF withdrawal OF Italian
troops from Spain. Threatened
torcetM action neuer materialized.
Italian proposal that question be
referred to moribund Nom Inter
penfion Committee in London
agreed to by England, Dhich sent
out call for session this week.
BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, October 1.-THE British
and French STATS began close COL
laboration today on steps both regard
as necessary to counter Italian dom.
nance Of the Balearic Islands in the
Mediterranean and Premier Benito
Mussolinis increasing reinforcements
OF Libya.
This menace to Anglo French su-
premacy In the Mediterranean was
regarded here as the most vital issue
confronting London and Paris in the
face OF growing conviction the Nom
Intervention Committee would fail to
get action on withdrawal of Italian
Blackshirts from Spain.
Early Moves Forecast.
The STAFF conferences foreshadowed
possible early moves to concentrate
British and French warships around
Minorca, lone Balearic Island held ny
the Valencia government, and possible
increase of British strength in Egypt
and French strength in Tuns to offset
II Duce's two divisions In Libya.
The massing of Anglo French naval
might at Ninorca would have two
"salutary effects" reliable sources said /:
l. 1t would prevent Italians seizing
the island, and. by Its presence. ham,
per Italian-inspire insurgent acttvi-
ties from the larger and more Inn
portant island.
2. Greece and Yugosiavia would be
expected to support fully such Anglo
French action which would be de-
signed to preserve their imperial life
lines.
Would Hamper Intervention.
Such reassertions of Anglo French
determination In the Mediterranean
also would make continued Italian
Intervention in Spain difhcult, some
sources thought.
The most likely outcome of q non-
Intervention meeting, some sources
said, would be an Italian offer to
withdraw a small number of volun-
5000, mostly sick and
wounded men-if the Valencia govern
ment would do the same.
Competent quarters added this
would be unsatisfactory"
French Program Approved.
PARIS, October IA LP).-The French
cabinet today approved a three point
program providing for submission of
the question of withdrawing foreign
'OAuAtCCAo AAOlii VIC oPdIllSIl Clfu WAL
to the 27-power Intervention
Committee, as proposed by Italy.
The plan was said to provide last
chance" for Italy to consent to with
drawal of her troops from Spain.
France retained the privilege of pos
tive action" in case of Italian re-
fusal during deliberations of the Nom
Intervention Committee.
The three points in the program are:
First-France agrees to submit the
volunteer" question to the London
but demands consideration
Of q definite plan within to 10 days.
Second-France and Britain will
state their positions either separately
or jointly, but will maintain common
attitude on the entire problem.
Third-Paris reserves the privilege,
In the event the 27-nation committee
Is unable to agree on a method OF
foreign troops, Of scrap
ping the neutrality pact and resum-
ing commercial relations with the
Spanish republican government.