The Washington times., 1937-03-24
BY H. r. KNICKERBOCKER
(Copyright, 1887, by International
News Service)

News service)
LONDON March 24.-This jit-
terry continent had another attack
of nerves today as it waited for
q fresh blow from the mailed fist
Of Mussolini.
Experienced observers are con-
Vinced II Duce is virtually forced
now to attempt to avenge the de-
feat italian troops suffered north
of Madrid, and that the only way
he can do it is to send several
more divisions to Spain in viola
tion of the non-interVention agree
ment.
When first news Of the Italian
defeat by reds reached the outside
world, speculation arose over
whether Mussolini would withdraw
or reinforce his troops in Spain.
Beaten BY Anti-FaScistS
Now it is plain chat no such
choice existed, because not even
Mussolini's prestige could survive
eventual defeat of his army, upon
which Fascist world power is
founded.
This is especially true in view
Of reports that the principal Red
troops engaged in fighting Fascist
Italians at Brihuega were anti
Fascist Italians in the Garibaldi
Brigade.
British observers express salts
faction and even delight over this
exhibition of what they term true
Fascist military ability, and fire.
quent references are made to "the
fact that Italians collapse when
faced by any troops better than
NEnarmed Abyssinians."
Such a view of Italian military
strength, if maintained, would re-
suit in almost complete loss by
Italy of her recently-acquired posi-
tion Of power so great that she
was able to bluff Britain into sub
mission in the Abyssinian conflict.
Must Now Give Proof
Thus it is held inevitable that
Mussolini must now bring proof
that his army in Spain-variously
estimated at from 10000 to 200, 900
but probably nearer the lower fig
ure-iS first-class and typical of
the other force in Italy upon which
MuSsolini depends to hold his posi-
ton in Europe.
But within a few days blockade
Of the Spanish coast by the non
Intervention powers is due to 60
Sofn affect anH ~ ie Y,T1Ijlza111 IT, o1,y
could ship any considerable sup
plies of men or munitions in such
q short time. Therefore, military
observers here believe it quite pos
Sible the Italians will choose to land
a large force on the Spanish red
coast, which has been assigned to
Italy to patrol.
The Italian patrol sector extends
from Alicante to Port Bou, and by
a glance at the war map of Spain
one can see the possibility that if
the Italians landed an important
number of troops at a point just
north Of Valencia, they might cut
across red territory and join with
the whites at Terul, cut Madrid
from Catalonia and go far toward
winning the war.
Reds Sure of Victory
Spanish red forces in London
are so encouraged by the Italian
defeat they confidently asserted to
this correspondent:
"The Madrid government will
win if no further foreign forces
come in because our army orig
inally was completely unframed.
Some have now been well trained
and in a few months they will
number 100000.
"Our troops are fired with a
genuine revolutionary spirit and
our foreign volunteers are true
volunteers, while the Germans
and Italians in Francois army
were sent there without choice
and nobody can blame them for
not wanting to fight.
"And if Muss0lini does send
more troops in open violation of
the nOn-interventi0n agreement,
We will win anyway, because
France will then have 70 inter.
W10A"