The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1936-08-13
LITTLE SPANISH MATCH

LITTLE SPANISH MATCH a...
The ordinary pattern OF a revolu-
ton is simple and well established.
Comparatively radical or liberal
elements within a country rise
against a conservative or monarch
list government. The French and
American revolutions are examples
of this.
The current Spanish revolution
violates the accepted rules. The
party in power in Spain-"The
Government OF so-called
liberals and radicals, whose beliefs
range all the way from mild semi
socialism to communism. The rebels
are the reactionaries-the Spanish
equivalents of Tories and monarch
lists. 49,. - a.. "a.
At this writing, the revolution is
still in full swing, and both sides
are claiming great victories, both
say they are certain of success. Nor
mally, such, a civil war would not
be of any great interest to America
and Europe. But the chaotic Euro
pean and Asiatic situations being
what they are, the Spanish revolt is
of tremendous international, as
well as national, significance.
Today, roughly speaking, all
Europe is divided into two camps
fascists and anti-fascists. Germany
is fascist. So is Italy. So is Austria.
France is anti-fascist. The Spanish
rebels, If they succeed. will establish
q fascist government in Spain, and,
following the German-Italian pat
tern, will rule through power Of
might, at the expense Of all civil lib
critics. And if they fail, it will still
be evident that substantial minor
ity in Spain is opposed to all liberal
tendencies, favors militaristic die
tatorship. (The present Spanish gov
eminent leaves much to be desired,
In the light of American and Brit
ish ideas of freedom, but, by COM
parison with Germany and Italy, it
stands for civil nberties.)
To continue, France is the last
important mainstay of Democracy
in Europe. Even now, she is border
ed on two sides by fascist states,
which hate her and are hated by
her in turn Germany and Italy. II
Spain goes fascist and, as would
doubtless follow, enters into an ac-
cord with Germany and Italy,
France would be almost entirely sur
rounded by inimical, fascist powers,
all longing to tear the Tricol0r from
its mast. In that case, nothing but
q miracle could prevent war.
It Is strongly rumored that both
Italy and Germany have been en-
couraging the Spanish rebels, have
provided them with arms and 9TH
er supplies.
In the Far East, Japan wishes to
dominate the Pacific but first, she
wishes to dominate Asia. All that
prevents the fulfillment Of that
ambition is Russia, which Is possibly
the best armed country in the
world, and which has almost limit
less resources Of all kinds. The ,ex-
perts are certain that in case Of
Trouble, Japan and Germany would
enter into an accord, and the en-
emies Of 1914 would become allies.
The whole situation is charged
with dynamite there is no question
but that the outlook is much darker
even than in the dark days Of 1913
before Sarajevo. One Of the best
Of the foreign observers recently
said that Europe has been drifting
toward war for years-but that now
1t is marching. That is no exagger-
alton. And the little Spanish
match" could explode the whole
powder keg.
From the commercial standpoint,
the effects Of the Spanish uprising
win naturally be unfortunate,
whichever side wins. When coun-
try's resources must be given over to
revolution, it has no money for cars,
cotton, machinery, or the other
goods Spain usually buys in some
quantity from the United States.
Furthermore, Business Week points
out that effects Of Spanish trouble
on France and Britain Jour best
customer, next to Canada) are more
important to us than what happens
to our own Spanish sales" Spain
has been very important purchaser
Of manufactured goods from Eng
land, loss Of this business will hit
Britain hard, have an unfavorable
influence on her balance of trade,
thus reduce her buying from other
countries, including the U. s.
LEMKE FACTOR
It is no secret that the Lemke
candidacy will hurt President
Roosevelt more than it will hurt