CONCERN IN LONDON.

Wairarapa Age, 3 August 1936, Page 5

CONCERN IN LONDON.

THREAT OF INTERNATIONAL COMPLICATIONS. FEARS OF WIDENED RIFT IN EUROPE. LONDON, July 31. The "Morning Port’s” diplomatic correspondent says that the international aspects of the Spanish civil war are beginning to cause serious concern in London. The discovery that Italian aeroplanes are supplying the insurgents with arms it causing acute complications in view of the statement by the French Foreign Minister that if it was proved that other Powers were arming the rebels France would be free to reconsider her refusal to assist the Government. - It is now considered that the situation will require very skilful handling to prevent the civil war becoming an international issue. The prospects of the Five-Power Conference are already compromised, and whatever is the final result of the civil war, it can only widen the rift in Europe. If the Government is victorious it will tend to make Fascist Italy and Germany turn more closely to each other. On the other hand, a rebel victory would lead France to rely more on Soviet Russia. The Barcelona correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian” says that whatever is the outcome of the civil war the social power of the Church is definitely destroyed and the political influence of the army has disappeared. It is reported from Madrid that the Government is so confident of victory that it is asking lumbers of the militia to return to their jobs. It claims that the rebels in the south are hemmed in by Government forces. The situation in the north is unchanged.

The Government has replied to the International Commission at Tangier agreeing not to use the port as a supply base, and demands that France shall be similarly barred.

Spanish newspapers point out that a Fascist victory would mean that France would be surrounded by hostile Powers, that the defeat of France would mean that Germany and Japan would attack Russia, and that thus a most terrible world war may. result from the Spanish struggle. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. INQUIRY OPENED IN ITALY. - ■ ROME, July 31. An official inquiry has been opened into the use of Italian aeroplanes in Morocco. It is stated that if it is established that the aeroplanes were Italian they must have been connected with private enterprise.

THREE WITH SWASTIKA. (Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m.) ROME, August 1. The British United Press Tangier correspondent declares that among eleven ’planes at Tetuan aerodrome, three bear the Swastika emblem. BEBEL ‘GOVERNMENT.” NO RECOGNITION BY BRITAIN. RUGBY, July 31. The British Government has decided to take no action in regard to a wireless telegram dispatched to it by General Cabenelles, President of the Junta de Defensa Nacional set up by the Spanish insurgents containing a notification of the assumption of power by the new Government over the Spanish State uncler the name of * ‘The Committee of National Defence.”— (British Official Wireless.)