Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, OCTOBER It), 1937 BRITAIN’S MEDITERRANEAN POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 October 1937, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, OCTOBER It), 1937 BRITAIN’S MEDITERRANEAN

POLICY

IT is not necessary to read between the lines of Mr Anthony Eden's recent speech to understand what lire British Government’s policy is in regard to the situation in the Mediterranean. In part the British Foreign Secretary said, “None can complain if the patience of those who have striven to keep their responsibilities towards Europe constantly 1 before them is well nigh exjhausted." The reference was to the French and British Govern-, ments, which, in the face of Italian intervention in Spain, have refrained from using their power to block maritime communication between Italy and the Peninsula. British and French fleets, based on Toulon and Marseilles, could exercise a profound influence on the Spanish situation by preventing communications between Italy and Spain. The Italian military forces would be severed from their bases of supply in their homeland, and their intervention in Spain would probably be brought to an end. There is not much doubt that the Italian Dictator (who broke faith in Abyssinia, and now by bis action in Spain is contravening the League of Nations’ Covenant, which Italy signed), who is a law to himself, has defied those great nations which still stand by the Covenant and desire to see Spain work out her own political salvation, without the interference of foreign nations. At least a hundred thousand Italian Fascists are actively engaged in military operations in Spain. This fact is viewed with apprehension by France, • who cannot stand by complacently inactive while the Italian Dictator obtains a controlling influence in Spain through the predominance of irregular Italian forces, which, though they have suffered severe discomfiture, may possibly become a powerful factor if strongly reinforced by enthusiastic fellow-countrymen anxious to repair Italy’s reputation in the Peninsula. But there is likely to be strong objection by France to such a course, and it is to be noted that in reference to that nation’s possible intervention in Spain, Mr Eden said, “I, for one, should certainly not be prepared to utter criticism of any nation which, if such conditions continue, felt compelled to resume its freedom of action.” That seems to mean that the British Government by the mouth of its Foreign Secretary will give France its approval, if the Republican Government were to decide to march its troops across the Pyrenees. It is not to be anticipated that such a course will be necessary, but Mr Eden’s utterance seems to indicate that if France is forced to take such a step in order to preserve Spain’s independence, the British Government will give its approval.