INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4959, 23 February 1937, Page 4

INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY.

It is reported that an international naval cordon is to be thrown around Spain in an effort to stop the war in that unhappy country, and that the ships so employed are to fly a common "non-intervention" flag. The plan is to prevent "volunteers" taking service in Spain under penalty of imprisonment. The scheme at first sight is a humanitarian one, but when Germany and Italy are participants in any plan to stop the carnage in Spain, it sounds not only ridiculous, but tends to prove the shallow intrigue and insincerity of both countries. These two countries and Russia are responsible for the war in Spain lasting so long. Some excuse might be offered for the part Russia has taken in this awful conflict. The Soviet might never have assisted the loyalist troops had it not been for the action of Italy and Germany in sending "volunteers," guns and munitions to Spain. The use of the word "volunteers" on the part of Italy and Germany is absurd. An Italian soldier who was captured by the loyalists, said that "volunteers" were asked to take service with the insurgents, but when none was offering, a number was mobilised and sent to Spain. Practically the same procedure was carried out in Germany, and a report last week stated that General Franco's forces have increased from 10,000 to 50,000, and only a minor percentage were Spaniards or Moors. If these Italian and German "volunteers" were ordered by their own Governments to return to their homeland it is almost certain that they would most willingly respond. It is scarcely possible that there are 30,000 to 40,000 Germans and Italians who have any interest in the future of Spain and willing to lay down their lives in a cause of which they have little knowledge. The simple truth seems to be that Hitler and Mussolini are of the opinion that there is a sufficient number of troops now in Spain to ensure the success of the insurgents, and they have now no wish to send any more men. Another phase of the position is, as stated by an observer, that Germany does not want to have any considerable forces in Spain when they may be needed in Central Europe in the near future. When the foreign policies of Italy and Germany are reviewed over the last three years it must be realised that there is no sincerity on their part when they join in an international agreement to put an end to the war in Spain. Both countries have staked an enormous amount on a victory for the insurgents, and the only hope of any return from this expenditure is the complete overthrow of the Spanish Government.