Evening star., 1938-06-11
BRIDGE
FRENCH RAID AIM
Protests to Barcelona or
Burgos Hinge Upon
Probe Results.
By PERTINAX.

BY PERTINAX.
PARIS. June IL (NAN.A).-P
Daladier has ordered a most exhaus-
tive inquiry to be conducted into last
Sundays aerial incursion over the SUBJ
Pyrenean districts of France, espe-
cially the Department of Ariege.
1t has already been ascertained that
the true purpose Of the raiders was
the destruction of the viaduct at Ak
les-Thermes. They took infinite pains
to strike that target and circled
around it for more than a full hour.
They succeeded only in disturbing
solitary man, engaged in trout fishing.
who alone witnessed the scene. He
believed at first that the French air
force was carrying out routine work.
He fed when the first bomb exploded.
If the undertaking had been sue
cessful, 1t would have taken three
months to repair the damage. and for
that length OF time traffic toward Re-
publican Spain through the main road
across the Ariege Valley and the An
dorian republic would have been cut.
Republican Trick Doubted.
1t is difficult to believe that Repub-
lican airplanes should have been COM
mlssloned to perform such a task
With a view to arousing French public
opinion against Nationalist Spain.
For the sake of such a machination,
an aim less obnoxious to the Repub-
ican cause would have been chosen.
Indeed, fragments of bombs of Rus.
sian make have been collected on the
ground. but such a clue is not deemed
since war materials of all
origins are now inextricably mixed up
in Spain. For instance.
Republican troops are using Italian
machine guns which have been i'm
ported from Greece to Barcelona
German machine guns also have been
found In the possession of the Loyalist
army.
So far the French government has
refrained from making a protest. As
long as it has not been able to fix
The responsibilities of the aerial az
sression of June and s, any diplo-
matte step it might take would surely
prove futile, as it would be COM
'elled to act in Burgos and Barcelona
at the same time, which would mean
u Is not ready to back its warning
'y 1orcible deeds, and as a conse-
luence its words would be ignored.
once the inquiry has been ended
md relevant facts have been eluci-
lated, a pointed menace will speedilv
ollow.
Air Patrol Plan Held Up.
Hitherto. the British government
las not approached France with .
to organize an air patrol in
conformity with the Nyon method
o deal summarily with the lombard
hent OF merchant ships in Spanish
larbors to suppress that form of
tracy Obviously. Prime Minister
chamberlain still sticks to his expert
nent, begun in mid February. and
wants to spare Mussolinrs feelings.
dr. Chamberlain seemingly is willing
allow the Duce q free hand in |
pain against "Bolshevism, in the
'ope that afterward the Anglo. italian
reaty OF April is. will be smoothly
arried out. all the Italian volunteers
nd technicians will quietly 70 home.
no negotiation of q Franco-Italian
reaty will not be postponed any
onger.
The French cabinet does not share
hr. Chamberlain's expectation. II tx
that Mussolini will alwav. |
lsk for more: even If enforcement Of |
ne British plan about the recall of |
'oiunteers and the granting of bellie. |
rency to Burgos and Barcelona brings
bout full triumph of the Nationalist |
rms. that he will afterward press
rance and Britain to recognize Cen |
raliSsimo Franco oficially, and even
nay go 30 far as to declare he cannot |
each any settlement with q French
that is supported by 4
majority that includes Communists.
Anslo-French Division Sought.
The issue would be much clearer II |
he British premier had agreed to
he French request, expressed three
months ago, that no Anglo italian
reaty become effective unless supple
nented by an analogous Franco
Italian treaty. But the head of the
British government refused to in.
rease to that extent Britains soli-
.arity with France. The result is
hat, through the short -sightedness OF |
Ar. Chamberlain, Fascist italy thinks |
t possible to drive 4 wedge hetveen
he western powers.
The French government endures
hat situation because Il tnous ths |
most expedient course Is II .,et the
British cabinet find out the truth far
tself in its own way and, moreover
s deeply impressed by the prusnects |
II unfavorable developments ia Czech |
,slov1kia. It Is vividly realized here |
hat. were Hitler and his advisers to |
ioubt the permanence and strength
II Franco-British cooperation. Euro |
bean peace would Immediately 20 to
he dogs. The crisis Of May al may
,c reopened at any moment.
tetpyiisht. 1888. By the North Amsr,esa
~ Na~rsav