Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1936-11-12
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
BY GEORG STRANDVOLD

A few days ago the Spanish faS
cist rebels began to invade Madrid
and when these lines are being writ
ten the formal capitulation of the
city seems a matter of not so very
many hours. Preceding their actual
invasion the rebels had showereC
bombs down upon the desperate de-
tenders of the hapless capital, also
from field batteries had been fired
barrage after barrage into the streets
of the business sections. How many
people have been killed by these bonn
bardments no one seems to know, ard
estimates vary so much that it is
safest net to say anything about
numbers; the lowest estimate given is
about 200, but quite likely there were
many more victims.
Individually, the Madrid citizens
men and wcmen-have fought valiant
ly and with heroic scorn for death
and mutilation. but there are indica-
tions that a lack of organization has
contributed to making the defense
futile. The fact that the government
fled from Madrid, establishing itself
at Valencia, did not improve the NOR
ale of the denizens of the besieged
capital, and is being interpreted, vari-
ously, as cowardice and wise pre-
caution.
What Next.
If the situation develops further
along the lines recently shown, the
rebels are soon to be in command of
Madrid, and that will, most likely,
resistance on all other fronts. Then
fascist government will be set up
and the defeated leyalists will he
waiting for chance to revenge them
selves. Just now, it looks as though
civil war is to become a more or less
permanent feature of Spanish life, for
the defeated parties always will seek
opportunities for reprisal.
Unless miracle happens within
the next few days, Spain will be going
back to dictatorship of the hated
Primo de Rivera type, and fascism
throughout Europe will hail this as a
new triumph, while democracy will
weep.
French Suggestions.
Fearing the utter debacle of the
Spanish government forces, Prime
Minister Leon Blum of France is re-
ported to have offered them support
condition hof Drif ai, will
likewise help. This suggestion Gre
ated, it is said, CONSERVATION in Lon
don, and it is not likely to be accepted.
We're France and Great Britain to in
tervene now, such step would in
evitably mean that Russia would jcin
them, and then, of course, fascist
countries like Germany and Italy
would feel in duty bound to step in
on the side of the Spanish rebels.
There would be altogether too many
and far too serious complications pos
sible we're such action to be taken, for
they can mean only one thing, name
ly that new, great war the fear of
which makes Europe tremble.
luttIudtlOUdI FTlcUuSIIps
Possibly realizing that word of
kindness might be peculiarly appro-
pirate at this time, Foreign Minister
Anthony Eden a few days ago appeared
before the British parliament deliver
ing speech on the empires relations
with other great powers. The direct
cause was the fact that Germany has
been sending out feelers to ascertain
whether Great Britain would be will
ling to join the German-Italian cru
SADIE contemplated against Soviet Rus
STA; such crusade might mean any
thing, for Hitler as well as Musso!ini
have repeatedly declared that RUS
sian Communism must be crushed"
There seems to be no other crushing
procedure possible than war. So that
is quite obviously what is meant-pro-
vided. a sufficiently convincing lin j.
dent could be provided, and no diplo-
matte job is easier than that! A slur-
ring remark in high quarters, or a
stray bullet across a border line
there you have all that is necessary
to provoke conflict.