Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1937-04-01
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
Continued from Page ~

Minister Anthony Eden, the London
government did concede the alleged
fact of more Italians being sent to
Spain, but that same government now
has taken the attitude that, perhaps
after all-there may be nothing to
the charges; anyhow, in the interest
of European peace, the BritOns prefer
to keep the matter in allegiance for
the time being, and will not move a
finger in this connection. That may
be wise in view of the possible conse-
uuences of a contrary attitude. but.
under the known and demonstrated
circumstances, it can hardly be called
consistent with the ideals of fairness.
Expediency, however, often replao es
fairness-and the idea still is cur
rent that Great Britain really does
wish for the Spanish rebels decisive
victory, considering that the lesser OF
two evils.
Civil War.
That such a victory is within the
realm of possibilities becomes daily
more and more doubtful, for the Span
ish government forces recently have
recorded a number of victOries-none
of them very decisive, but effective
enough to bring about the confused
flight of rebel armies within which
were a number of Italians.
1t is quite evident that within the
last couple of weeks the government
resistance has stiffened considerably,
and the danger of Madrid being cap
tured by the fascists has become more
remote than ever There is, of course,
the possibility that if the rebels con-
tinue losing, MussOlini may decide to
supplement his forces in Spain, and
should that happen, there will be
brought about a real danger of an in
ternational conflict. for, conceivably
Great Britain, France and the Soviet
Union will not acquiesce in such an
arrangement.
Spain has, as reported before, cCm-
planned to the League of Nations
and nott ing further has been heard
of the complaint; nothing may be
heard in the future-and now France
threatens to go before the League
with a charge against Italy. That
possibility has further enraged Mus
solini who bluntly says that if France
does take that step, the consequences
may be very serious.
Negotiations.
So far, no treaty has been an
nounced as the result of the London
visit of King Leopold III of the Bel
gians, but it may very we'll be that
he did receive some assurance from
Anthony Eden. The king-and his
government, too, for that matter
have found that there is too great
danger in being linked to great pow
ers through an alliance. That policy
wanted now was to impress the Brit
ish government with the necessity of
independence and still, at the same
time, receive certain guarantees that
would protect Belgium. 1t was sup
posed that the British government was
to do otherwise might give Germany
certain advantages, should a new war
begin.
Another thing the king wanted was
new Interpretation of the League of
Nations covenants Article 16 which
gives League members the right to
march through neutral territory to
attack another state stigmatiZed by
the League as an aggresSOr. Belgium
does not relish the thought of once
more becoming the central battlefield
of Europe.
Whether King Leopold accom-
plished anything positive in London
is not yet clear; it is possible that
more negotiations will have to take
place before result becomes evident
Conference at Belgrade.
More Immediately productive of re-
suits was conference the other day
at Belgrade between Galeazzo Ciano,
Italian foreign minister, and Milan
Stoyadinovic, Jugo-Slavian prime min
lister. These two countries have for
years been more or less at odds-so
much so, in fact. that there have been
heard threats of open warfare between
them.
Now they have both "seen the
light" and a long series of negotia-
tions eliminated when the two diplo-
mats few days ago signed a treaty
which stipulates that the signatory
powers are to respect their present
land and sea boundaries, and also
that all possible controversies between
them are to be settled without resort
to arms. There also are articles
which give the signatories mutual
commercial concessions.
Noteworthy is the fact that Count
Ciano- son-in-law, by the
way-signed in behalf of His Majesty,
Victor Emmanuel, king of Italy and
Emperor of Ethiopia
Czecho-Slovakia and Roumania are
not SO very enthusiastic about the lat
est Jugo-Slavian approach to Rome,
for they fear that it may weaken the
Little Entente and cause disturbances
on the Balkan peninsula But, aside
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