Askov American., 1936-09-10
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
Continued from Page y

Continued from Page y
ally of hated Russia; Russia is very
closely linked to Czecho-Slovakia. and
now it appears that Poland is being
definitely brought into that fold-the
result of French diplomatic manCeu-
vers. General Edward Rydz-Smigly.
Polish military dictator, has been in
Paris, wined, dined, approached, sub
jected to questions and proposals. and
has gone back to Warsaw with agree
ments deposited in his pockets-agree-
ments that deepen the military treaty
of alliance between his own country
and France; that supposedly neutral
ICES the expected effect of the Polish
German non-aggression treaty OF a
a few years ago, and-that secures for
Poland access to loans and credits
with which to build up defense"
suitable for the purposes of-France.
And here Poland is, like Germany, in
a quandary, for while France is, Of
ficially, the very dear friend of the
Svoiet, Polish sentiment is anything
but cordial to Moscow.
The entire picture is rather be-
wildering. But one clear fact seems
to emerge from the European haze,
and that is that a gigantic clash
once more awaits the Old World.
Some have even calculated the day
when it starts. 1t is true there is
no cause, but when everybody is ready
for the fray, "casus belli"-cause
of war-is the easiest of all things to
invent.
Spanish Crisis.
Just now there is no certainty that
European ramifications will branch
out from the civil war in progress in
Spain. On the other hand, there is
no certainty that they will not. For.
to date there have been no definite,
clear-cut and formal declarations of
neutrality on the part of the powers
that might become implicated; there
have been wish-statements that the
principle of neutrality is acceptable.
And that's all. Europe still is on
edge, for the situation is gloomy.
Prospects have not improved since
there was, the other day, a political
shakeup in Spain where a new cabinet
was formed under the leadership of an
extreme socialist, Caballero, and he
appointed-for the first time in
Spain's history-two communists as
members of the government.
Communists in the Spanish cabinet
constitute fact that may we'll cause
Italy and Germany to hesitate before
they commit themselves definitely to
policy of neutrality, and while they
hesitate, the other powers will feel
obligated to follow their example.
On goes the civil war in the mean
time; the fascist rebels have after
seven weeks finally captured the city
of Irun and set it afire. Gruesome
details of unregulated warfare are
coming out of Spain, some no doubt
exaggerated. others probably true.
At this distance it is difficult to claim
that one side is more ferocious than
the other, and as far as the govern
ment itself is concerned, it said the
other day, in response to an appeal
for humanitarian fighting, that it
would listen to no such proposals.
The rebels had started this thing,
and now they were but given a dose
of their own bloody medicine. That
means that now as heretofore prison.
ers will be summarily killed-by both
groups.
A survey of the general situation in
Spain seems to show that the rebels
are making headway; one reason for
that is that a very large part of the
organized army fights under the rebel
banner against unframed and hastily
armed civilians who remain loyal to
their democratic regime, and who be-
lieve that fascism triumphant means
destruction.
League to Meet.
In an atmosphere of mutual dis
trust and civil war, and on a back
ground of it's own dismal failures the
League of Nations is preparing to
meet at Geneva in few days. 1t will
review its items of uselessness and
will then-probably- about finding
ways in which to become real world
factor.
Some of the members feel that the
cOvenant-the fundamental law of the
League be thoroughly revised;
others maintain that that would not
be necessary as long as there is
will to enforce the already existing
law. And Denmark. always an ardent
League member, is planning a motion
to the effect that energetic efforts be
oAn fn OF xx,;k o11
y >non-League members to join the or
ganization.
The procedure indicated in COM
munication from the League secre-
tariat-general would be to have the
League Assembly ask the League
Council to study the pOSSihle WAYS in