RESULT OF WAR IN SPAIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 1 March 1939, Page 6

RESULT OF WAR IN SPAIN

“SUCCESS OF THE FORCES OF REACTION” | “METHODIST TIMES” REGRETS FRANCOS VICTORY “The apparent triumph of the Nationalists means the success of the forces of reaction, aided by the shameless cooperation of Italy and Germany.” states the latest number of the “New Zealand Methodist Times” in an article entitled "The End of the Spanish Civil YVar,” in the section entitled “The Church and the YVorld. Outlook and Comment.” The full text of the article, which expresses outspoken sympathy for the Republican Government of Spain, is as follows: “It looks as if the end of the dreadful Spanish Civil YVar is at last in sight. And although we cannot be too thankful that the long-drawn-out terrible conflict is evidently approaching its conclusion, we cannot affect to be pleased that the sanguinary three years’ struggle is resulting seemingly in the victory of the insurgents. Our sympathies all through have been with the lawfully constituted Government, standing, as we believe it has done, with all its faults, for the more liberal and democratic elements in Spanish life. The apparent triumph of the Nationalists means the success of the forces of reaction, aided by the shameless co-op-eration of Italy and Germany. YVithout German bombing aeroplanes and Italian troops, and. of course. African mercenaries, Franco could never have achieved the conquest in which he now gloats. The policy of so-called intervention has been absolutely farcical, and Hitler and Mussolini have been utterly without conscience in their espouj sal of the rebel cause. We cannot but i wonder what reward will be demanded | by the Italian and German dictators for | the material assistance they have given. YVill they expect to be consulted in the pacification of the w'ar-riven country and will their offices be required in the endeavour to establish a settled government? “YVe may depend upon it that the two Fascist Powers will look for substantial compensation for ali their heavy financial outlay, and all their prodigious military support. Perchance the attempt will be made to convert Spain into a third Fascist Power, and that is a consummation hardly to be desired. YVe have reason to be gravely concerned at the possibilities which are abroad in the Imerian Peninsula and we pray that our British statesmen may be rightly guided in the action they take and the policy they pursue. Meanwhile we repeat that we unfeignedly regret that the Republican Government in Spain has been compelled to bile the dust.”