THE PRICE OF INTERVENTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23828, 7 June 1939, Page 10

THE PRICE OF INTERVENTION

While the Spanish Government's assurance to France that all foreign, troops have departed from Spain would naturally be accepted with reserve, it receives confirmation in a Government statement in the House of Commons that the situation in that unhappy country is returning to normal. In the endeavour to prevent, or at least to limit, the participation of foreigners in the Spanish civil war the British and French Governments had a thankless and, as subsequent events have proved, an impossible task. Italian intervention in the conflict was notorious, and scarcely concealed. But the participation of Germany in a war which could by no imagining be classed as menacing the Reich has only been admitted—and blatantly admitted —within the past few weeks. In spite of a decree issued from Berlin in 1937 recalling Germans engaged in the civil war, and stipulating dire penalties for any who. ignored the order, and in spite of the assurances and denials given by the German Government, to the Non-intervention Committee, on the last day in May 5000 German troops disembarked at a German port from Spain and were greeted as heroes. Their official welcomer was none other than General Goering, who proudly proclaimed the deception which had been practised against the non-intervention authorities and against the German people themselves. Signor Mussolini's dealings with the non-intervention Powers have been equally open to suspicion, though it would appear that since the Italian columns enjoyed their hour of glory on May 19, marching in their thousands at the head of a "Victory Parade" through the shattered streets of Madrid, most of them have returned to their native shores. There, assisted by a chosen body of Spanish Nationalists, shipped to Italy for the purpose, they are to take part in further gallant celebrations. That Signor Mussolini apparently has not extended the withdrawal to war materials, which were included under the promise given to the British Government, is a circumstance which emphasises the present concern of the Powers. This is not now so much whether any considerable numbers of Italian and German troops remain in Spain, but what establishments of a military nature have been left behind there. In the past two or three months the activities of German and Italian technical staffs have been inviting anxious attention from Great Britain and France. In the South of Spain, in proximity to Gibraltar, it is freely stated in the English press, the Axis Powers have engaged in establishing bases which command the straits, and present a menace to the Rock itself. In north-west Spain, it was recently reported by the diplomatic correspondent of The Times, German equipment has been landed in large quantities, to strengthen the naval ports and aerodromes. The bargain which the Axis Powers evidently made with General Franco as the condition of their assistance is being carried out with speed and thoroughness by his exacting allies. The Spain that emerges from the civil war is not the same independent State, controlling its own destinies, which entered into that bitter conflict. Time will tell how eagerly the Spanish people may welcome the knowledge of the price that their new Government paid for victory in a tragic and desolating conflict.