Evening star., 1936-10-11
Britain and the Fascists


who. whatever their views about the
authoritarian system of government
in Germany or elsewhere, violently
oppose the surrender of any British
or semi-British territory for the sat
isfaction Of any one, German or other
wise. They will not willingly give up
one square inch of colonial, protected
or inundated territory. They are i'm
perialists of the old school, revived by
the late Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain.
This Birmingham policy is voiced to-
day by, among others, Sir Austen
Chamberlain (half-brother of Chan
cellor of the Exchequer Neville Cham
berlain) and not now an oficeholder,
and another ex-cabinet minister, Col.
Leopold Amery. Both are representa-
tives OF Birmingham City in the
British Parliament.
Before Parliament rose for the long
recess, there was a violent onslaught
on the cabinet, both openly on the
floor OF the House Of Commons and
behind the scenes, demanding assur-
ances that there was no intention of
making any bargain involving any
British possessions. and a statement
that the subject was not discussable.
This powerful and usually influential
section Of the dominant political party
in Britain received no satisfaction.
Whatever the leaders of the British
government may say, the belief exists
on both sides of the North Sea that
there hoe haAn q sanonflap,apt-
ment' about colonies.
And now let us regard recent events
In Spain. In international law the
situation in that troubled land is
crystal clear. Whatever its merits or
demerits or its complexion, there is
only one government in Spain inter-
nationally recognized, with diplomatic
representatives duly accredited to
every capital in the world. To give
material assistance, asked for and
paid for by a government in friendly
diplomatic relations. is a clearly de-
fined duty on all other states. The
question Of neutrality does not arise
No state Of war exists To apply an
L.
In the same way. to supply arms
money or any other assistance to
those in rebellion against the recog-
nized government is a clear act of ag-
gression. This act Of aggression al
legedly was committed Immediately
after the outbreak Of the rebellion
and possibly before, by the govern
ments Of both Italy and Germany
The British governments attitude was
correct" at first. No actual obstacle
was put in the way of the units of the
Spanish Navy. acting under the orders
Of the recognized government of Spain,
In obtaining supplies at Gibraltar, but
such purchases were not made easy
1t was, however. made known that no
private sales of arms would be allowed.
The tendency in government circles
has been to observe what is called
strict neutrality between the contend
ing parties, no distinction being drawn
between the recognized government
and the insurrectionaries.
The French government and the
majority In the French Parliament
would have liked to give direct help
to the Spanish government. This
would have been perfectly legal, but
Prime Minister Blum held back, partly
in the hope of an al-around agree
ment that no supplies should be given
to either side and partly because of
doubts about the attitude of Britain.
The delays have played into the
hands of the would-be helpers of the
Spanish military rebels. Yet, as de-
scribed above. q Fascist Spain Joining
the Fascist group In Europe would
present grave dangers to the British
Empire. It would be difficult to ex-
plain the cool attitude of the British
government toward France and the
scarcely veiled unfriendliness to the
Spanish government In this matter,
except on the assumption that q COM
plete reorientation Of British policy is
in contemplation. Unless Britain is
to enter the Fascist "bloc" q rebel VIC
tory in Spain will present dangers.
Italy Looks to England.
Nor is 1t easy to supposed that italy,
with her hands full in East Africa,
and Germany, with her rearmament,
and especially her army reorganiza-
tion, only half completed, would have
taken the risk of helping the rebels
in Spain without preliminary sound
ing as to the British attitude.
Such action has already violated
article x of the Covenant Of the
League Of Nations. It is q clear case
Of aggression. Surely memories are
not 30 short that the trouble into
which Britain herself got at the time
Of the American Civil War has been