SERIOUS CONCERN

Evening Post, Issue 28, 1 August 1936, Page 9

SERIOUS CONCERN

LONDON UNEASY

INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS

WIDENING OF RIFT IN EUROPE

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received August 1, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, July 31. The "Morning: Post'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, is 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 numbers 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.