“Taranaki Central Press” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1937. THE SPANISH TEMPTATION.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 413, 21 April 1937, Page 4

“Taranaki Central Press” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1937. THE SPANISH TEMPTATION.

Speaking recently to a gathering of British Conservatives, Mr A. Duff Cooper, Secretary for War, expressed the opinion that there would be no major war between Communism and Fascism. He qualified the statement a little later with the remark that if there were such a conflict he was certain that the people of Britain would take no part in it.

As far as the behaviour of the British people has manifested itself, in face of aggravating incidents in the conflict in Spain, there appears to be adequate justification for the confidence of Mr. Duff Cooper in their sobriety in time of stress.

It is generally accepted that amid all the cross-currents of the civil war in Spain, the ultimate victory of the Loyalists is a matter of deep concern for Russia, and the success of the Rebels is equally hoped for by the Fascist Powers of Italy and Germany. In such a division, the British people should find little difficulty in keeping themselves free from the danger of participation.

A democracy has nothing in common with either Fascism or Communism. Yet from recent events it is evident that certain parties and sectional interests would welcome the active intervention of the British Fleet. There is fortunately no apparent unanimous desire that the nation should become involved or throw its support on either side.

Although the track which Britain should follow is clearly defined, the Baldwin Government must keep a firmer hand on the helm if a straight course is to be steered. It has to meet vigorous demands from the Liberal and Labour members that the Government challenge General Franco and escort British merchantmen to Bilbao. It is not pleasant for a great commercial nation, accustomed to sending vessels from its port to all corners of the earth, to have even one port closed to its ships. In the face of agitation that the Government should abandon its policy of neutrality and use the Navy to cut the blockade knot, Mr. Anthony Eden has felt constrained to reply: “It is easy and popular to rattle the sabre, but it is far more difficult and unpopular to face criticism for poor-spiritedness because we refuse to lead Europe over a precipice.”