SPANISH WAR

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXV, Issue 12305, 20 April 1937, Page 2

SPANISH WAR

FOREIGN TROOPS RECALL PROPOSED London, April IS. It is reliably reported that Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler have agreed to propose the recall of Italian and German war volunteers from Spain, providing other volunteers are withdrawn, states the Rome correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. The recall of voluteers would he popular in Rome, the correspondent adds, as the war has dragged on beyond the most pessimistic expectations. General Goering will discuss the matter in detail on his forthcoming week-end visit to Rome. The report that Italy and Germany favour the withdrawal of volunteers is by no means discountenanced in London. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Herald says that Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini have made up their minds that a decisive victory for General Franco is out of the question. Therefore their joint policy in future will be: (1) To try to obtain the best possible peace terms for the rebels and a “composite” regime for post-war Spain. (2) To find means of withdrawing Italians and Germans without losing face. German experts, says the correspondent, are convinced, with Italy, that neither side is capable of winning the war outright. Italy and Germany are disturbed by the effect of the campaign on the troops’ morale. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says responsible quarters fear that the time for mediation has not yet arrived. They believe that the hatreds roused on both sides in Spain are too deep to permit of a compromise. However, reports of the Italian and German attitude are perfectly credible. German intervention has been less vigorous recently, while the relations between the Italian commanders and General Franco’s staff are by no means cordial. London, April 19. The Deaiuof Canterbury, Dr Hewlett Johnson, who recently visited Spain, in the course of a sermon yesterday said: “There may be greater mechanised forces supplied by Germany and Italy on the side of the rebels, but on the side of the Spanish Government there are forces of the spirit which will win in the long run. “It is totally wrong to say that Spaniards and Russians are irreligious. It is not a matter of what their lips say; it is what they mean in their hearts.”