FOREIGN OFFICERS IN SPAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 25 November 1936, Page 6

FOREIGN OFFICERS IN SPAIN

'Till-: predominance of foreign officials on both sides of the Spanish civil war certainly indicates the degree to which foreign interest is being taken in the conflict. But why this interest should be so great is, even after taking all of the known factors into account, difficult to understand. Spain is not a rich country: it would not. be worth while any other country trying to conquer it, it. is not. a potential ally, nor is it likely to provide a market for the export of manufactures. It certainly is possessed of rich mineral deposits, but there is no dearth of mineral ore; in the world and anyone can buy them at world parity. It is more than probable that, the absence of professional employment in his own country has led to many a soldier of fortune to seek scope for his abilities in Spain to-day. Undoubtedly the presence of foreign officers on both sides the conflict will raise the standard of efficiency for mutual destruction, and to that extent the conflict, will be shortened. But what is of greater importance is the question of supplies. The correspondent of the Economist, writing from Spain in August, declared that the defences of Madrid were formidable, and that in his opinion the city would not be taken. He went, on to remark that the Government had the greater resources in men and money than the. rebels. If this be so. then interest will centre on the possibility’ of Italian purchases of wheat, and in Australia and the Argentine being used to feed General Franco s following: -while on the other- side, interest will centre on Soviet ships being reported to be freely unloading stores at the quay’s at Barcelona. In the matter of food supplying, and possible munitions as well. Russia is possible in ;> favourable nosition to provide larger quantities than is Italy. Care should be taken, however, to resist the temptation to exaggerate '-nvtliiiig related to Russia. Russia is a big country but an inefficient one. Sim has alwavs ha I the men and the resources, but she never lias had the skill to use her advantages: consequent!”, she Ims consistently provided her opponents with opportunities for winning victories.