King Country Chronicle Thursday, August 13, 1936. SPAIN CREATES COMPLICATIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4883, 13 August 1936, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Thursday, August 13, 1936. SPAIN CREATES COMPLICATIONS.

In normal times the Spanish revolution would not have caused any serious complications in Europe. The country would have been allowed to work out its own destinies in its own way, but with Europe divided between Socialism ;.nd Fascism the civil war in Spain has created serious complications which may precipitate a crisis. Europe to-day can be likened to a powder magazine which only requires a spark to bring about an explosion which will affect not only Europe but the whole world. German, Italian, French and British nationals have been killed during the fighting in Spain, and both Italy and Germany have sent strong notes to the Spanish Government, which in each case is a virtual ultimatum. Great Britain and France have taken a more temperate stand. It is strongly believed that Germany is assisting the rebels by supplying them with arms and ’planes. While this has been denied in Berlin the fact remains that a German ’plane manned by Germans and loaded with munitions has been captured in Spain. A report is also current that a German battleship landed bombs at a Spanish port, and that Germany will land marines at Barcelona. Great Britain and France have approached Germany and Italy for an agreement for non-intervention in Spain, but the suggestion has been coldly received in both countries. Whether there is collusion between Germany and Italy regarding a policy concerning Spain it is difficult to state, but such is more than probable. The sympathies of both countries are with the revolutionaries, while those of France are with the Spanish Government, as are those of Soviet Russia. So far as Great Britain is concerned, she is neither a Socialist nor a Fascisti country, apd has no bias for or against the Spanish Government or the rebels. Should the Spanish rebels gain the victory, the position of France would become dangei*ous. She would be bound in the north by Nazi Germany, on the east by Fascisti Italy, and in the south by Spanish Fascism. It is therefore to the advantage of France that the Spanish Socialist Government should be successful in quelling the rebellion. The reverse obtains in the case of Italy and Germany. The paramount question of interest to the spectator nations is not so much a restoration of order in Spain, but what system of order. While some countries would like to see the rebels prevail over the Government, others would prefer the reverse results, Therefore the temptation to intervene by these interested countries is very strong. While Great Britain has no direct interest in the Spanish insurrection, she cannot remain indifferent to the policies of the countries which are giving their moral support at least to the contending parties in Spain. Britain holds Gibraltar Strait, the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea, which in turn is the gateway to the Suez Canal, the sea artery of the British Empire. Should there be an European upheaval over Spain, the fighting would be largely concentrated in Southern Spain and Morocco, and it would be a miracle if Britain’s interests were not involved. Europe to-day is in very much the same state of tension as in 1914, when the provocative .incident at Serajevo precipitated a world war. The situation in Spain will require very careful handling to prevent a similar catastrophe.