WILL IT SPREAD ?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 251, 22 October 1936, Page 18

WILL IT SPREAD ?

WAR AND THE EXPERTS FEUDAL LAND SYSTEM. WHEN U.S. SHIPS WERE HANDY WASHINGTON, September 2. Diplomatic bookies will lay you 10 to 1 that the coming European war will not come from the Spanish political conflict. The Spanish fuss, as they see it, is a confused local problem with only dangling international phases. It is being called a war of Fascism versus Communism, but it really is not as clear-cut or as deep as that. The Spanish Fascists are split into Monarchists and Republicans, and the so-called Communists are cut at least four ways among Socialists, syndicalists, Communists and anarchists, with a few other briglit-eyed 'ists also overcrowding their ranks. It is true that Mussolini was caught slipping a little backhand aid to the so-called Fascist side, and the Radical French Government is trying to help the misnamed Communist side without getting too deeply involved, but this is no more than expected political manoeuvring for domestic effect in Italy and France. It is certainly nothing to go to war about, and is not likely to become as serious as that. Latin Blood and Heat. The Spanish trouble is fundamentally a growing pain. The country has been in the throes of a revolution since the Republic was instituted five years ago. The revolution was designed to throw down a feudal landlord system which is a remnant of the middle ages (peon wages average about 25 to 40 cents* a day). It will take time. The Leftist Government has not been accomplishing the change satisfactorily. It has been brutal, disorganised and inconsistent. That is why the opposition picked up guns and started shooting. In the long range, no matter who wins the currcnt battles, or what labels they wear, the reformation will continue. The fighting may even help to clear the political confusion and hasten the result, but, when the reforms are ultimately accomplished years hence, they will represent very little more than has already been accomplished in most other countries, with less loss of life. The only difference with the Spanish revolution is that the Latin blood is hotter.

Lady Luck. 'Hie State Department is naturally taking credit for the successful lifting of Americans from the Castilian cauldron. Tt was a neat evacuation job, but negotiators will tell you in private that the credit is due more to President Roosevelt's luck than to their own sagacity. They now swear by his rabbit's foot, internationally as well as domestically. For publicity purposes only, they hint Mr. Hull moved his two cruisers swiftly because he had an inside tip from Britain that the situation was going to develop as seriously as it did. The fact is Mr. Hull had no tip. The two cruisers were luckily handy at nearby ports, solely because the revolution broke at the right time. Also, Mr. Hull was still smarting from criticism of his failure to take adequate precautions for protection of Americans in Addis Ababa last spring. At that time the British had to rescue our own Minister, his staff and the Americans huddled in the Legation there. This time Mr. Hull took no chances. He moved before the situation required. As every executive is entitled to credit for all acts of fate, even the Republicans cannot deny him this one. If the Oklahoma had not been carrying the midshipmen on their cruise and the Quincy had not been on a shakedown run, Hull's nearest warship would have been 3000 miles away when the call for help came. Stay-at-homes. There is now talk of creating a permanent European squadron of the Navy. Mr. Hull says lie is "not unmindful" of such a possibility. What he means is he is against it. Diplomats believe it would create too much inconvenience and work. With no home port to tie up in, the squadron would naturally move from port to port, and require grants of permission to enter each one. Diplomatic repercussions might trail the ships. The Navy crowd is tired of moving from one West Coast port to another, and from there to the Alaskan fishing grounds. They long for the more socially-inclined European ports, but the chances are two to one their longing will be unfulfilled. Mr. Hull usually has his way.— (N.A.N.A.)