The Evening Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1938. SPANISH COMPLICATIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 8

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1938. SPANISH COMPLICATIONS.

On Christmas Bay the Republican Government in Spain claimed to have completely captured Teruel, which was the apex of a salient held by the Insurgents on the boundary between Catalonia and Valencia province. The success was not finally “ cleaned up ” till January 9, but that is by the way. The greatest importance was attached by Loyalists to the victory, which was claimed to have given them 500 square miles of vital territory. Teruel is only 70 miles from the sea. An extension by the Rebels of their salient at that point would have meant a wedge between the two chief territories of the Republicans'. Senor del Vayo proclaimed, when the place was captured, “ from every point of view Tereul is as important as Malaga, Bilbao, Santander, and Gijon put together.” Its conquest, by a surprise attack—defences having a perimeter of thirty miles were defended by only 10,000 men—was held to be a most encouraging feather in the cap of the Government’s new army. Actually, it was the first offensive success the Government could boast. The international brigades had no part in it. It was believed that the offensive for which preparations had been made on the Insurgents’ side would be postponed by it for at least a year. Unfortunately for the Loyalists, Teruel has proved easier to capture than to hold, its acquirement was followed

immediately by a counter-offensive on the part of the Rebels, and now they have regained Teruel. The Loyalists say now that it was strategically unimportant and that they are unperturbed by its loss, but the Loyalists cannot have it both ways. If General Franco’s plan for cutting Republican Sptdn into two parts was thwarted six weeks ago, it is now presumably liable to be resumed. How soon that can be done will depend on the Insurgents’ losses in men, material, and energy in their fighting to hold and recapture. His counter-offensive which has been successful may be merged in the offensive that was previously intended, or the coming summer may be needed to reconstitute his forces.

The outlook is important for Europe as well as Spain. A few weeks ago it was reported, not for the first time, that Signor Mussolini was tired of his Spanish interference and was preparing to leave the country, lock, stock, and barrel. Tie regarded General Franco as a failure. Long before that the Italians had agreed, in principle, to a withdrawal of all foreign nationals, but difficulties in practice have been raised one after another. It is not improbable that Mussolini has been anxious for a long time past to withdraw bis forces, but has not seen any manner of doing so without too much loss of face. A new agreement with Great Britain, providing as its first article for withdrawal, following the retirement of Mr Eden, which the Italians will say was consequent on their pressure, might rid him of that embarrassment and serve the greatest interests of Britain and Europe. Mr Chamberlain’s method of dealing with the Rome Government, as against Mr Eden’s will be fully justified if we should hear in the next few weeks that Italian forces are on their way home from Spain. If the war in that country should be left to the Spaniards, who wage it with so little advantage to either side, the probabilities are that it would soon be ended in the agreement that will have to be reached some time. Europe would be saved then from one of the worst dangers to its general peace. The prospect, however, is much less than a certain one. Mussolini may believe that his soldiers are better in Spain than existing on the “ dole ” in Italy.