Evening star., 1937-06-23
DIPLOMATS FEAR
ANOTHER INCIDENT
Action of Germany and Italy
Adds Tension to Euro
pean Situation.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.


Diplomatic and official quarters in
Washington are concerned over the |
sudden change in the European situa-
ton brought about by the announce
ment in London of withdrawal OF |
Italy and Germany from the Inter-
national Non-Intervention Commit
tees neutrality patrol
To date the activities Of that or
ganization have been, to say the best |
negative as far as the pacification OF
Spain is concerned. The presence of
the foreign patrol ships have not pre-
vented intervention of other powers in
the civil war. The official under
standing among the leading Euro
pean powers, however, has prevented
the existing tension among them from
causing an international conflagra-
ton.
The withdrawal OF Germany and
Italy from the neutrality patrol in
dicates these two powers will deal
henceforth in any way they like with
the Valencia government. Any i'm
aglnary or actual hostile acts on the
part OF that government are likely to
be dealt with as Hitler and Mussolini
think best to their interests or to
those OF Gen. Franco, despite both
leaders profession of desire for
peaceful solution"
Alleged Cruiser Attack.
The pretext which caused this I'M
expected withdrawal of Germany and
Italy from the neutrality patrol is the
alleged attack on the cruiser Leipzig
oy nationalist submarine. For the
time being the German government
has not been able to offer any tangible
PROOF that the submarine which the
oetector OF the Leipzig signaled was
spanish submarine Because of this
lack OF tangible proof the British and
french governments refused tn take
acton and join in a demonstration
against the Spanish government
But the real reasons, according to
reliable reports which have reached
washington in the course Of the day
must be found in the uncertain situ-
alton In the Soviet Republics and in
the economic social and financial diff
ncultles which have suddenly arisen
In France and have caused the resie-
nation OF the Blum government.
Before dissensions in the U. S. S. R.
and the real difficulties of the French
government came to the surface, the
German government had intended to
get closer to Great Britain. 1t in
tenoed to obtain from London the
taclt consent for Germany to handle"
Russia and Czechoslovakia to the best
OF the Reich's interests. Baron Kon-
stantln Won Neurath was scheduled
70 go TO London in the course of the
next week to have official diplomatic
conversations with the British gov
eminent. This diplomatic trip was
Cancelled last Saturday to the great
disappointment of the British and
french foreign Offices Foreign Sec
retary Anthony Eden had hoped that
oy talking to Neurath, who together
with DR.. Schacht and Field Marshal
Won Blomberg represent the conserva.
1--WE element in the German govern
ment. he would be able to come to a
temporary understanding to relieve
the tense situation in Europe. This
was considered important bv Down.
ing Street diplomats in view of the
impending economic financial crisis
IN France and the rotten political sit
uation in Russia
Foreign Offices Purpose.
The foreign Office is reported also
TO have hoped to weaken somewhat
the collaboration between Britain and
Rome.
These hopes have been dashed now
Inc belllcose elements in the Reich
represented by Goering, Goebels,
Strelcher, ct ais, apparently have been
able to prevail on Hitler not to fall
into British trap. That they have
been successful is illustrated in Ger
many's and 1taly's decision to re
cover their freedom Of action" in
regard to Spain.
While Washington diplomats can
not forecast the course Of events in
the next few weeks, there is a serious
danger that another Deutschland or
Leipzig incident might be caused in
the near future. In such a case there |
Is no saying what the central powers
might do. It is also difficult for |
them to forecast what the French and
the British governments will do should |
the 1talo- o-German navies decide to
lombard Valencia or some other Span
ish loyalist port.
The best they hope is that the
central powers will confne their
activities to assisting Gen. Franco
openly. The worst they fear is that
they will endeavor to provoke serious
incident with the Valencia govern
ment in the hope of challenging
France and Great Britain. And while
the British government can afford
policy Of taking it on the chin,"
there is fear that the French Parlia-
ment, the majority OF which is in
favor of stronger policy in regard
to Spain, will take up the German
challenge. with disastrous conse-
quences for the peace OF Europe.