VOLUNTEERS FOR SPAIN

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21990, 14 January 1937, Page 4

VOLUNTEERS FOR SPAIN

TO THE EDITOR OR THE PRESS. Sir, —Your somewhat scathing criticism of the British and French Governments in their handling of the question of non-intervention in Spain expresses my own point of view - socompletely that I need not enlarge upon it here: There is, however, one point which has been made clear by the entry of foreigners into the Spanish conflict, and that is that it dispels the delusion that men could never be got to take part in a quarrel not their own. This is worth remembering. If so many foreign combatants can be found to take the field voluntarily and without any sanction but their own inclination, surely it would be possible to assemble a far larger force under the sanction of the League of Nations, acting with the support and encouragement of their respective governments. If there is any value in force or in the display and threat of force, then the nations comprising the league must logically accept the conclusion. This is worth noting, because it is implied in the suggestions for the reform of the league made by the New Zealand Government—suggestions, the logic of which the British Government apparently failed to grasp. If, as you say, and as is obvious to many others, France and Britain have failed to act with firmness and sincerity, owing to fear of complications, then it would have been far better to have said less and let things take their course. European troubles are not likely to be put right by mere bluff and wire pulling. Only absolute honesty and resoluteness of purpose will serve, and to ensure that this will be sufficient it must be backed by the league, even if that should necessitate the use of force, —Yours, etc., J.F. P.S. What has been said above leaves the question of the efficacy of force an open one, but if force is recognised as legitimate, there is nq escape from the conclusion. January 13, 1937,