BRITISH VIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 9

BRITISH VIEW.

SERIOUS CONCERN.

Complications May Involve

Other Powers

ITALY SUPPLYING REBELS?

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, July 31

The Morning Post" diplomatic conespondent says international aspects of the civil war in Spain are beginning to cause serious concern in London. The discovery that Italian aeroplanes are supplying insuigents with arms is causing acute complications in view of the statement of M. Delbos, French Foreign Secretary, that if it was proved other Powers were arming the rebels France would be free to reconsider her refusal to assist the Government.

It is now considered that the situation will require very skilful, handling to prevent the civil war becoming an international issue.

The prospects of a five-Power conference have already beeii compromised, and whatever the final result the civil war can only widen the rift in Europe. If the Government is victorious it will tend to make. Fascist Italy and Germany turn more closely to each other. On the contrary, a rebel victory would lead France to rely more on the Soviet. The "Manchester Guardian" Barcelona correspondent says that whatever tlis outcome of the civil war, the social power of the church will be definitely destroyed. The political influence of the army has disappeared. Government Confident. A Madrid message says the Government is so confident of victory that it is asking numbers of militia to return to their jobs. It claims that the rebels in the south are hemmed in by Government forces, and the situation in the north is unchanged.

The Government has replied to the International Commission in Tangier, agreeing not to use that port as a supply base and demanding that France be similarly barred.

. Spanish newspapers point out that a Fascist victory would mean that France would be surrounded to hostile Powers' and the defeat of France would mean that Germany and Japan could attack Russia. Thus a most terrible world war may result from the Spanish struggle.

In the House of Commons Socialist members urged that the Government use its influence to prevent other Powers aiding Spanish rebels.

Viscount Cranbourne, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replied that Spain was a cause of serious anxiety for everybody. The aeroplanes of which the sale had been reported were civil airoraft, and the Government had no power to intervene. The fact that the sale took place did not necessarily signify Government approval.

The Italian Government, says a Rome message, withholds any statement regarding its attitude in connection with Spa'n.