IRISH INTERFERENCE IN SPAIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 16 December 1936, Page 6

IRISH INTERFERENCE IN SPAIN

WHEN the Spanish civil war began, it was recognised that there would be a tendency for all the fire-eaters of Europe to wish to join one side or the other, and so cause a general conflagration; consequently the British Government has done all it can to discourage active interference in Spain. Nevertheless there is no doubt that the Soviet Government has encouraged the Communist Government of Spain with advice, if not more substantially, and both from Italy and Germany the Spanish insurgents have received material support. Now it is known that from Southern Ireland General O’Duffy’s Irish Brigade is definitely embarked for Spain with the object of fighting in General Franco’s army against the Spanish Government. “Wearing religious emblems,” we read in the cablegrams yesterday, “the men sailed for Spain singing hymns.” This action appears to have been taken without the approval of the Free State Government, but it is not difficult to see that if European religious enthusiasts, with or without the sanction of their respective Governments, are allowed to reinforce the Spanish rebels, it will not be possible to prevent Russian enthusiasts from giving active support to the Communists of Spain. Meanwhile the Governments of Britain, France, and Italy are trying to prevent intervention, and the Italian Government considers that the despatch of war materials and volunteers to Spain should be prohibited. What appears to be indicated is immediate and decisive action by the League of Nations, not with a view to forcible intervention in Spain, but for the purpose of persuading the Spanish belligerents to settle their differences by application to the International Court at The Hague, instead of by force of arms. Probably the decision of the Court would be a compromise, definitely favouring neither side; but if it could bring the civil war to an end, it would not only uphold the League’s diminishing reputation, but would strengthen the cause of civilisation in Europe, and throughout the world.