"TARANAKI CENTRAL PRESS.” SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1936. SPANISH CIVIL WAR.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 313, 19 December 1936, Page 4

" TARANAKI CENTRAL PRESS.” SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1936. SPANISH CIVIL WAR.

A cablegram received yesterday said that there are distinct signs that Italy and Germany are weary of the Spanish trouble, but for reasons of prestige it is difficult for them to withdraw. Germany does not regard Spain as vital to her interests, especially as Russian-German relations are improving, and Russian-Italian relations are excellent. Both Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini are obviously regretting their unofficial support to Franco’s Spanish Fascists. The truth of the matter is that since the Spanish Civil War is an attempt to form a Fascist Government and overthrow the existing Socialistic one, boh Hitler and Mussolini, as the leading Fascists in Europe, were, in the first instance, bound to give some support to Franco, even if only moral support. But moral support can be expensive, particularly when giving it in defence of a political or an economic principle. Although both the Italian and German governments gave assistance to Franco, and Russia gave a certain amount of assistance to the Spanish Government, it is well known that the first aim of responsible European Statesmen, including those of the three nations mentioned, has been to localise the trouble within the borders of Spain. It was recognised that if this course was not adopted the inevitable result would be a European war. If, for instance, France, Germany, Italy and Great Britain were at liberty to furnish their requirements to the side which they favoured most, the inevitable result must be a clash, armies would promptly be on the march, and the baleful fires of war would be flaming throughout Europe. That would mean a struggle* even more destructive than the last war, and one which would not end until our modern civilisation was destroyed. From that appalling prospect most responsible statesmen shrank, and they have devoted themselves to taking every effective step in their power to avert the catastrophe which might so easily be brought about. Mussolini and Hitler, as we said, were dragged into the affair because of the Fascist uprising, but they want now to withdraw completely. Obviously neither dictator wished to use the Spanish war to embroil their own country with any other, but merely gave support to Franco’s attempt to oust the Communist Government of Spain. Now, indications are that both the Fascist nations are weary of giving even that support, and while the Parisenne spiritualist may be right in her prophecy of the war lingering on, there seems at heart no real evidence of a wide European conflagration.

Hospital Radio Appeal. Complete success of the Stratford Hospital Radio Fund appeal is now in sight. Yesterday’s street collection in the town realised over £7o—a splendid result and one which does credit to the pub-lic-spiiitedness of citizens when once they are faced directly with an appeal for a deserving object. The fund, to date, stands at over £2OO, and when the final lists are collected from the town and country districts, the necessary amount to complete the purchase o f the radio should be almost in sight. The manner in which this appeal has been conducted is a tribute to the organisation set up by the Committee and Mr. J. C. Rebins, honorary organiser. They are to be congratulated on their efforts and the joy which will be brought to hospital patients in the New Year will be a worthy expression of appreciation for the work which has been so unselfishly done by the energetic committee in charge. Reference should also be made to the assistance given by the local branches of the Farmers’ Union, which organised the task of collecting donations in the country areas. Here is a case when a voluntary organisation, commonly loked upon as a semi-political body, threw its weight behind a deserving public appeal. Ser long as a spirit of this nature exists in Central Taranaki, our community life will be all the richer in human sympathy and fellowship.