THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, November 21, 1936. THE AGONY OF MADRID

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23044, 21 November 1936, Page 12

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, November 21, 1936. THE AGONY OF MADRID

A little more than 'a week ago the leader of the Spanish rebel forces, General Franco, issued a statement that from that.moment the heart of Madrid was to be considered a battleground and would be bombarded without consideration for aged people, women or children. He is living up to this promise of ruthlessness, and, as a consequence, the world outside is being treated to a spectacle of horror without precedent in modern history—that of the destruction of an ancient city exposed to the fury of internecine strife. Madrid, with a thousand years of troubled history behind it, with its million of population, its palaces, its noble streets and public buildings, its priceless treasures of art, literature and archaeology, is being swiftly and methodically reduced to ruins by political elements which appear to aim at destroying the last vestiges of democratic government and at planting in their place a dictatorship resting on force. There seems small reason for hoping that appeals which have been addressed to the Spanish leaders for some abatement of the horrors and insensate cruelties of the campaign will find - reflection in Madrid Rather does it appear that the city is destined to become a shambles wherein combatants and non-com-batants are alike doomed to perish. Already it is stated that it stands to-day “ an awesome example to the world of the fearfulness of modern aerial warfare.” What the heavy batteries had begun the bombers are completing, and it may seem that only a few days will be required to encompass almost the entire destruction of the former seat of the Spanish Government. There is even a threat that the escape of survivors will be prevented, or at least made difficult, for, according to reports, the MadridValencia highway is now being shelled in an endeavour to stay the retreat of the loyalists Massacre has become a grim possibility. As if to add to the confusion and uncertainty caused by lack of knowledge of internal developments it is stated authoritatively from Berlin and Rome that the German and Italian Governments have decided to recognise the “ Government of General Franco,” and that the Governments of Austria and Hungary are contemplating taking similar action. The Italian communique, with strange logic, argues that as it is impossible to speak any longer of a responsible Government exercising authority in Spain, recognition must be accorded that of General Franco—which has not been established! An elected Spanish Government. on the other hand, does definitely exist, though its seat has been removed from Madrid. Simultaneous Fascist action of this sort was to be expected, for warning of such intention had been given; but it could scarcely have been thought that recognition of the revolutionaries would actually be offered with such indecent haste. Thus the last pretence of non-intervention might seem to have disappeared. There is more than a suspicion that some of the Powers concerned have never paid more than lip-service to the principle in any case. Mr Eden affirms that recognition is not a breach of the non-intervention pact. But it must subject it to an in-

creased strain. Future developments are certain to be watched by the Governments of Great Britain and France, which are determined to adhere to the spirit of the nonintervention agreement, with very real anxiety.