The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News The Echo and The Sun MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1936. WATCHING SPAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 194, 17 August 1936, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News The Echo and The Sun

MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1936. WATCHING SPAIN.

For the cause that lack.- assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

A month lias passed since the Spanish Government announced that part of the army in Morocco had risen in revolt, and it speedily became apparent that this revolt was but the beginning of a widespread rebellion, with the object of re-establishing a military dictatorship. In that month the outside world has had opportunity to realise afresh that there is no war so awful as a civil war. The worst "atrocity stories" of the Great War can hardly rival in horror some of the tales which have come out of Spain. The rebellion is against a Parliamentary Government constitutionally elected, but the ruthless savagery with ! which the campaign is being conducted 011 both sides is proof sufficient that the Spanish people lack the political qualities which are essential for the success of any Government which would rule by consent. None of the European Powers can be indifferent as to the outcome of the struggle. A Fascist dictatorship in Spain would be as unwelcome to Britain and France as the establishment of a Soviet State (which might follow the victory of the Government forces) would be to Germany and Italy. It might have been expected that the French Government, strongly radical, would be foremost in helping the Government in Madrid. That it has not done so, in spite of strong pressure from its supporters, is evidence of the delicacy of the European situation. The French cannot intervene on the side of the Government without incurring the risk—possibly the certainty—of a threat of war from Germany or Italy, wJiich favour the rebels. The British Government has approved the French nonintervention proposals, but these will not take effect until the assent of the other Governments, particularly those of Germany and Italy, is received. Meanwhile, as Britain and France press for replies from Germany and Italy, particularly the latter, there are indications that the rebels are receiving substantial help. , The efficiency of their air bombing, it is reported, has "improved miraculously in a very short time," and "they now possess gas bombs." Assuming that th.e aid they are receiving conies from Italy (though that will not be officially admitted), the Italian Government's delay in replying to France and Britain may be due either to a decision not to agree to the proposed embargo, or to a desire to "play for time," in the hope that the insurgent forces in Spain will meanwhile be enabled to triumph. Whatever Italy's motive may be, the uncertainty is perilous, for there are strong political forces in France which, if the rebels continue to receive aid from Italy or Germany, will endeavour to insist'that France shall aid the Spanish Government. It is not without significance that- President Roosevelt should at this time reiterate America's determination not to become entangled in the affairs of Europe.