Evening star., 1938-09-15

suit of this offensive. These were
mostly fresh troops. They had very
secretly planned this attack. The
movements Of the troops had plainly
not been discovered and in conse-
quence the results had been very salts
factory. The enemy had been taken
unawares and had retreated.
Complain about Democracies.
At this point. asked, what about
the army? How successfully was 1t
armed and fed? Did the government
really have sufficient means to con-
tinue against this intensive war on
the part Of Italy and Germany?
In answer. Mr.. Del vayo and Mr..
Negrin afterward, complained OF the
lack Of sympathy on the part Of Eng
land and France for the democratic
ideal which he insisted the Loyalist
cause represented. Before this un-
suspected attack began there had been
progressive and we'll conducted
democratic government in Spain. It
had not been opposed to any religion
1t had not interfered with sectarian
education but had claimed the right
to establish Z public school system
which would be free from religious
dogma and provide a general modern
education. Its chief object had been
to raise the standards of education,
provide work for the people, and, bet
ter yet, to bring them . larger share
Of the economic results Of their work,
1t had hoped to encourage manufac-
ture and trade along the most modern
lines-and, above all things, to mod
ernize Spain-bring, to it, Is money
would permit, good roads. the latest
machinery, the latest constructive de-
velopments for agriculture and 10 on
Ignorance Brought Biundsra
But all Of this had suddenly been
interfered with and the money they
might have devoted to this work was
diverted to this useless and terrible
war. Without an army or officers or
sufficient reserve supplies stored for
the purpose. they were at an enormous
disadvantage. More than that, not
knowing the plans Of the enemy, not
being aided. but rather deceived by
certain information from several coun-
tries, they could really deal only with
immediate attacks without being able
to concentrate on strategy.
In consequence, blunders had been
committed inside their own lines.
Traitors. when least suspected, ap-
peared. Generalship in the best sense
was wanting and. worse than that,
there developed rivalries and dissen-
sions. In connection with Madrid.
which had been the principal point Of
attack, there had been ignorance and
mismanagement, not intentional, but
due to the situation.
At one point things were 30 bad, Mr.
Del vayo said. that he and Mr.. Negrin,
who had been old friends and had
known each other in other circum-
stances. had conferred as to how they
should do. Had they better quit? Re-
sign their work to other hands?
Whereupon Mr.. Negrin said to Mr..
Del Vayo-what have We to resiRn7
Will We throw An impossihle situation
on some one else?
Under very serious circumstances
they had debated this and finally one
said to the other. We'll. this Is the
way it h-we've been . long time to-
gether. We're probably . couple Of
fools but now We know more or less
how foolish We are. Shall We stick and
ty-go on and, II necessary, 90 down
together7" And In perhaps sorrow-
fll laughter they finally agreed to 70
on together, let the result be what It
will.
And 10 here they were together this