SETBACKS TO FASCISM.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 74, 14 April 1937, Page 4

SETBACKS TO FASCISM.

For the time being at any rate events do not seem to be running altogether fafvourahly for the external policy of the Fascist rulers in Western Europe. There can, of course, be no possible doubt as to the designs of both Mussolini and Hitler in Spain. The evidences are completely convincing that the Spanish revolt, if it did not actually have its first incitement from Italy and Germany, has ever since it broke ont had strong support from both tho§e quarters. This has manifested itself so strongly not only in the supply of war material but also in the sending of tens of thousands of trained soldiery to fight nnder General Fralnco, that no room is left for disclaimer. i v What the specific rewards for this assistance were to he cannot, of course, be confidently said, but in a general way ' it is easy enough to fecognise the broad advantages to he gained by establishing another sample of Fascist Government on France's southern flank. Two or three months ago all seemed to he going well with these designs, for all accounts of militapy operations pointed to the early fall of the Spanish capital into the hands of the insurgents. Since then, ^however, there has been a very decided change in the aspect of affairs. Though the ultimate issue must still be regarded as in grave doubt, the Government forces have put up such an determined resistance that their eventual success is something more than a mere remote possibility, which will be greatly strengthened if really practical effect is given to the agreement for staying active outside intervention. In the meantime both German and Italian fighting men have suffered a considerable loss of prestige, while both Mussolini 's and Hitler 's military advisers are said to he strongly averse to any further participation. Thus Fascist designs in Spain may be said to be, at the moment, very much under al cloud. Turning to France's northern frontier it may also be said that Herr Hitler 's aims in Belgium have so far not run according to plan. As most of us know, Belgium is not without its internal differences. In fact, there is a strong racial feeling as between the Walloon and Flemish elements that go to make up the great bulk of the population, and of late there has been a strong inclination on the part of the latter to lean towards a Germany, of kindred blood, rather than to Frnace. Herr Hitler has been quick to exploit this feeling, and his propagandists have been very busy in Belgium fostering the Rexist movement led by M. Degrelle. By way of backing to this he, some three months ago aaid by way of compensation for his disruption of the Locarno Treaties, declared his readiness, in the cause of peace, tp assure Belgian independence for ali time. This statement encouraged the aggressiveness of the Rexist faction, with which the Flemish Nattionalists, to some extent at any rate, allied themselves in opposition to M. van Zeeland's Government. It was this that led up to M. Degrelle's challenge to the Prime Minister to contest a Brussels seat in Parliament. This cha|Qenge was accepted, somewhat rashly as many thought who depreoBted committing so serious an issue to so doubtful a contest. However, M. van Zeeland has cbme triumphanfly out of the test with a four to one majority. This has, no doubt, been much to the chagrin of the German dictator, though his well controlled press professes to see no significance for Germany in the result. Signor Mussolini was, of course, not so intimately interested in the result, but at the same time he, too, is doubtless greatly disappointed to see the Belgian Rexist cult, based largely on Fascist principles of government, suffer so signal a defeat. There is another feaiture of the present situation that cannot be at all agreeable to Herr Hitler. The advance he made early iii the year with regard to assuring Belgium's independence met with no very cordial response in tha't country and so fell- rather flat. On the other hand, as the outcome of recent discussions and negotiations between British, French and Belgian diplomats, Great Britain and Fraince, by way of substitution for their pledges of mu tuai assistance under the Locarno Treaties, have definitely agreed to support Belgium in the position of strict neutrality she now desires to resume. As Germany is the only Power at all likely to threaten such neutrality, only one meaning can be attributed to this new understanding. It may perhaps, too, be assumed that it was expedited in view of the influenee it would have on the Brussels by-el&ction.