CONDITIONS IN SPAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 16, 20 January 1939, Page 6

CONDITIONS IN SPAIN.

Quite a marvellous report of Spain brought back by the two nurses from "Red" Spain; but when we see that they were welcoiricd by the Communists of this country—well, enough said for the public to visualise &e bias. But this report of the two nurses wcttft be supported in England bv the leading war correspondents—Knoblaugli,' Bryant, McCullagh and others, many of them non-Catholie.< Also there are many English military ofiiceis who have stayed in Spain for many weeks and recently have voiced their opinion on public platforms. Xow the two nurses did not mention the assistance that Russia is giving —although Franco has captured 300 Russian i tanks and many Russians as prisoners. There is plenty of food in Franco's areas—two meatless days are given voluntarily by everyone and the money thus saved is collected by voluntary helpers, and with it food is bought and sent in to captured "Red" areas, for they are starving. The idea of no religious persecution is too ludicrous. There has been a bloody persecution of all members of the Church—clergy, religion® orders and faithful in general. Ten bishops and 1500 priests have teen slain. Many of these were hunted down like wild 'beasts and murdered, accompanied, by horrible torture. Xo religious Well, there are no churches left in "Red* areas, only ruins, the sanctuaries in many cases used as latrines —the rest of the churchea buriit or razed to the ground; statues'and crucifixes shot and torn down, and filthy, blasphemous writings put 011 the walls. Xew Zealanders should remember that Spain is fighting a religious war for Christianity against the anti-Hod propaganda. They fight to defend God and His honour against a horde of anarchists and materialists who boast: "There is no God.'' but Spaniards are dying with the cry, "Arriba Espanal'' and "Long Live Christ the King!" RUBY E. WATSON.

I was interested in "Don's" letter in last night's "Star." When he speaks of one of the returned nurses justifying "church binning" he should be sure of the facts. I resurrected my Saturday's paper and read the report carefully again. Xot having the clairvoyant vision of "Don." I was unable to find that suggestion. Probably it is mentioned in one of the alleged authorities he quoted, but I must object, not being anti-British and not wanting to see Italy occupy Spain to the detriment of British interests. As a supporter of sanity, democracy and loyalty' to elected Governments, I would like to a>k "Don" where he stands as far as the duly-elected Government of Xew Zealand is concerned. It may be that he will call in his friends, the Moors, Germans and Italians, to introduce Franco's "democracy" here. EX-C'ATHOLIC.

Tn a letter published signed '"Dan" concernintf an interview with the two nurses who returned from Spain last Friday reference is made to "Miss Sharpies."' I wish to point out that I was not present at this interview, and had no connection with it. I returned from Spain last May. I went there on nursing- duty, and since my return I have consistently refrained from publicly expressing opinions on the political aspects of the conflict. • M. SHARPLES.