"For more than two years," Lord Halifax added, "Spain has been a disturbing element in European politics. It has excited anxieties both here and in France as to possible threats to the vital interests of both countries.
"For that reason, we attach the greatest importance ta the assurances which Signor Mussolini has given us.
After defending the British policy of non-intervention in Spain, Lord Halifax' declated.—"We are living in days when the usual machinery of international contacts is largely out of gear, and when, in consequence, the air becomes so thick with rumours that it almost seems as if there must be some central factory working overtime for their output and dissemination. But much as I deplore unnecessary alarms, the only effect which I have observed is an increase in the national soli-clarity and calm determination of all our people.
"Well over 1,000,000 volunteers have already been enrolled in connection with ARP. services. There could be no stronger re-infareement to the cause of peace than is to be found in the spectacle of free citizens thus enrolling themselves for voluntary national service.
"At bottom, all our people are solidly only pro-British, and are prepared for whatever is necessary to secure what they judge to be vital.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.