Evening star., 1936-10-04
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
DI OO1No I nN TINE DsO
HTHE day Gen. Franco and his
Arab-Foreign Legion mer-


will be compelled to move eight divi-
sions to the Pyrenees and concen-
trate most of her defenses in the
Mediterranean. Great Britain, too,
would soon feel the effect of the
esta ablishment of such Nationalist
Fascist government. Franco will have
to prove that the nationalist-militar-
ist government of Spain does not
tolerate any foreign power to own an
inch of Spanish soil, and will request
the retroceSsion of Gibraltar to its
rightful owners. The establishment
of the military junta as a permanent
government will have far-reaching in
ternational consequences" These
were the last words spoken to this
writer early in September by one of
Frances leading staff officers a few
days before the fall of Irun.
At that time nobody in Europe, and
especially in France, had the slightest
doubt that the loyalist government
was doomed; that the occupation of
Madrid was a question of weeks, and
that by applying the strong method"
of Hitler and Mussolini. the generals
could not fail to subdue the 80 per
cent of the Spanish people who are
not in sympathy with the generals
and their hirelings.
The Madrid government has failed,
despite popular support, because it
had no military leadership. Even
revolutions, these days, require the
talents of military specialists who
know something about mechanical
forces, strategy and tactics.
The Spanish Loyalists were full of
enthusiasm, self-sacrif1ce and reckless
courage. They had against them, at
first. small groups of militarist SYM
pathizers. But these sympathizers
were led by men who had spent their
lives in barracks handling battalions
and divisions. Neither of the Spanish
leaders, Franco or Mola, could give
q good account of himself in leading
armies against French, British or
Italian generals. But they are Napo-
Icons compared with the well-mean-
ing civilians, the former top sergeants,
and the few young officers who are in
charge of the Loyalist troops. The
only good troops which remained
faithful to the republic were the Ma
tional Guard, and they were weakened
by the thousands of youngsters with
no more than three days of military
training.
German, italian Money.
The rebels had the support of Ger
many and Italy, who supplied just
enough money to keep the mercen-
aries from Morocco in good spirits, and
plenty Of arms of the latest type.
ammunition and 1856 airplanes, pilot
ed by experienced aviators. While
this writer was in Rome and while
the Italian government was issuing
half-hearted denials that it was send
ing airplanes and aviatorS to France,
an italian Caprone bomber crashed
in French Morocco and the three
officers which it carried were killed.
Pending the official investigation, the
French authorities gave the aviators
soldiers funeral. The Italian gov
eminent, informed of the accident,
was looking into the matter" and
meanwhile Count Ciano, the Italian
foreign secretary, sent for the French
Ambassador, Count Chambrun, and
asked him to express the heartfelt
thanks of II Duce to the French gov
ernment for the funeral given these
aviators.
Against this effective assistance
given to Franco and Mola by the
authoritarian governments, Leon Blum
was giving the Loyalists only half
hearted support. The Madrid gov
ernment had plenty of gold. Blum
allowed the French manufacturers to
sell arms and ammunition to the SOL
diers of the republic, and frontier
guards were ordered to shut their
eyes when long lines of trucks and
buses were crossing the Pyrenees at
night, carrying arms and ammuni-
tion into Spain. When the rebels ap-
peared seriously to threaten Irun,
thus intercepting the communications
between France and Spain, one major
and eight junior French officers
crossed the border to organize the
defenses. But brilliant as was the
defense plan, it was impossible to
hold that key city with the undis-
eiplined though enthusiastic mob which
formed the force of that town. Just
before Irun fell, these officers returned
to France
In the British general staff and ad-
miralty the hatred of communism is
80 strong that the British diplomats
were slow in supporting Frances neu-
trality proposal. When it was ac-
cepted by the interested powers
three weeks too late-Great Britain
observed it scrupulously, to the dis
advantage of the Madrid government.
While Germany and Italy continued
to pour airplanes and ammunition
into Spain-"because the orders were
placed and paid for before the neu-
trality agreement came into force
British ammunition makers could not
SEND single machine gun or single
airplane to Madrid, despite the fact
that the Madrid representatives in
London had placed orders as early as
July. The British authorities were
enforcing the arms ban 100 per cent
Madrid Fall Due.
The Moors, under Frances leader
ship, are expected to take Madrid
forthwith Whether Franco, Mola or
some other general will become the
head Of the military dictatorship is
tmmaterial. Orders to Madrid will be
given from Berlin and Rome, and on
this point there is a divergence of
opinion between Paris and London.
The British profess to be unafraid
Of the consequences of the. Dictator
ship Of the military junta. The Brit
tsh are practical people. They be-
lieve that when the generals officially
take over the reins of government they
will need money to maintain them
selves and reorganize Spain. The
economic and financial life of the
entire country has been shattered
during these months of civil war.
And neither Germany nor Italy Is in
q position to offer any financial sue
cor to the Spanish government. Hence,
n - L.