London, Oct. 20.
A last-moment move, in the hope of averting a final breakdown of non-intervention discussions, was made in London this morning. Despite the apparent impasse reached last night, there seems some ground for hoping that an irreparable break will be avoided at this afternoon's meeting.
The Non-Intervention sub-committee met to discuss the French proposals on the withdrawal of volunteers from Spain and ended in deadlock.
The impasse resulted over the fundamental question of granting belligerent rights, says Reuter's diplomatic correspondent.
Italy was not moved from her position that belligerent rights should be granted before any volunteers were withdrawn, and her stand was supported by Germany and Portugal.
On the other hand, Soviet Russia remained insistent that the granting of belligerent rights must be dependent on the withdrawal of all volunteers from Spain.
Stating that no progress appeared to be in sight, Mr. Anthony Eden, who acted as Chairman in the absence of Lord Plymouth, adjourned the meeting until 3.30 this afternoon. Mr. Eden expressed the hope that progress could be made towards bridging ihe gulf between the two points of view.
Czechoslovakia, Belgium and Sweden supported the French proposals, while the Portuguese representative indicated that his, Government was prepared to patrol its own land frontier provided the French Government was prepared to restore control of the Pyrenees, Soviet Stand Clarified The Soviet Government, through M. Ivan Maisky, declared that the French plan amounted to a continuation of the policy of "so-called nonintervention." If the British, French and other governments, he added, considered it necessary to continue this policy and still entertained some belief in the possibility of its success, tHe Soviet Government did not intend to create any difficulties in regard to such a policy, but it declined to assume any responsibility for the step.
No great optimism prevails in London regarding the outcome. Mr. Eden is expected to report on the new deadlock to the weekly meeting of the Cabinet to-day.
The French proposals studied at the meeting include the following essential points:
—Immediate withdrawal of volunteers.
2—Granting of certain belligerent rights after a commission had reported that volunteers were being withdrawn from both sides satisfactorily.
$—Governments represented on the Committee should "exercise their influence with Valencia and Salamanca concerning the quick withdrawal of a number of volunteers, with proportions being taken into account.
"M—Arrangemenis should be made to ensure no new departures for Spain—Reuter.
Rome Unconcerned
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.