Evening star., 1946-04-18
u. n. Council Divided
Resumes Debate on
Spanish Case Today
By GouId Lincoln
Stor StoH Correspondenf


-. siar Stoff Correspondent
= NEW YORK, April ia wide
division exists among the men,
bers of the United Nations Sc
rurity Council over what to do,
# anything, about Poland's
resolution calling on all member
nations having diplomatic rela-
tions with the Franco govern
ment of Spain to sever those
relations. The Council meets at
3 pm. for a second days debate
on the Spanish situation.
Meanwhile. Soviet Russia was re-
ported to have lost strenuous bat
tie behind closed doors to have the
Councils procedure experts rule
against further consideration of
the Iranian case The committee of
experts was said in informed quar-
ters to have split to 3, with the
majority holding that the case could
legally be kept on the agenda.
Sources close to the committee
said majority and minority reports,
based on study of Secretary Cen
eral Trygve Lies opinion that there
might be no legal grounds for keep
ing the case on the agenda, would be
submitted to the Council by 4:30 or
pm.
France and Mexico Back Poland.
In the case of Franco Spain, Po-
lands resolution has the immediate
backing of France and Mexico. 1t
was opposed by the Netherlands
The United States, through its dele
gate. Edward r. Stettinius, jr., stated
it's objectives to be the elimination
of the Franco regime and the resto-
ration of democratic regime with
out a resumption of civil war
I'VE will give sympathetic con-
sideration to actions in conformity
with the charter (of the United
Nations) or two independent ma
tional action which affords a rea-
sonable prospect of achieving these
two objectives," Mr.. Stettinius told
the Council.
Russia's delegate, Andrei A. Gro
myko, who is expected to back Po-
lands resolution. and Sir Alexan-
der Cadogan of Britain have yet to
be heard. Britain, like the United
States, has been and still is opposed
to having the Council act on the
Spanish situation unless a clear
cut case is made that it constitutes
threat to international peace and
security
The Polish resolution must have
the support of seven members of
the Council to be adopted, and since
1t is substantive, not a procedural
matter it must have the concur
renee of all five of the permanent
members of the Council, any one of
whom could invoke the veto power.
It does not appear that it can re-
ceive the necessary votes to be car
ried.
Under Surface Struggle.
Under the surface lies a struggle
IN which Britain and Russia are
vitally interested. The overthrow
of the Franco government would
be followed by the restoration to
power of those Spanish Republicans
who had the aid of Russia in the
civil war which ended in Franco
victory Further, if chaotic condi-
tions should arise in Spain. the
chances of an inhltration of Com
munism might be excellent.
Spain lies at the eastern entrance
to the Mediterranean. A Spanish
government unfriendly to Britain
and to her Gibraltar fortress would
be a constant threat to the British
life line to the East. And so what
happens in Spain may have vital
influence on the future of Europe
and the rest of the world.
Nothing has been frought out
about this phase of the Spanish
question in the debate so far.
Whether Mr.. Gromyko will breach
the subject remains to be seen.
While the British have no more use
for Franco and dictatorship in
Spain than the other members of
the United Nations, they naturally
want some kind of assurance of
what may follow their overthrow.
They have the same kind of inter-
est in the Spanish government as
Russia has in Poland.
The Council adjourned late yes
terday after a three hour discussion
of the Polish proposal, with the
understanding it would be resumed
today.
Question Over Friday Meeting.
Council members showed them
selves definitely against holding a
session tomorrow-Good Friday, al
though Mr.. Gromyko suggested that
1t might be we'll to hold such a ses-
sion, rather than have two today,
as proposed by Australian Delegate
Hodgson.
Brazilian Delegate Velloso de-