It would be a task of no great difficulty for the Republican Government of Spain'to carry ut its threat to bomb Italian towns, if General Franco's aviators persist in bombing open towns in Republican occupation. Distances between the two countries are not great and there seems nothing to prevent Spanish aviators making the trip save, perhaps, the resistance they might expect to encounter before they reached their destination, The indignation which has been aroused by the wanton bombing of these open towns by the insurgents has been so roundly expressed in practically all countries in the world that no small degree of sympathy will be felt for the Spanish republicans in the predicament in which they find themselves, But that is no excuse for the Republican Ambassador to hold a pistol at the heads of neutral Powers by threatening such action should they fail to find a speedy solution of the matter, for it is perfectly clear that his government is basing ts attitude on the well-known desire of nearly all countries to prevent this Spanish civil war from developing into a widespread conflagration. The same notice has been served on France, and both Great Britain and that country have counselled the Spaniards to act with the greatest prudence. If the Spanish Government hoped to save itself by such action it would in all probability find itself sadly mistaken, for even were it to carry the threat into execution it does not follow that either Great Britain or France would necessarily feel themselves called upon to intervene between Rome and Spain in the matter, should the former decide to retaliate in kind.
Such a decision would fit in with all the circumstances, for both Britain and France would be perfectly justified in refusing any aid to a Government which sought to commit the same wrong. Let there be no misunderstanding about the fact that the bombing of open towns in Italy by Spanish aviators, would be just as morally reprehensible as the destruction of similar localities situated within the territory still held by the Republican Government by the air machines of the rebels.
In view of these considerations the French view, that the Republican Government does not intend to proceed with such attacks at present but is "merely playing a card which comes within the frame of a normal diplomatic game," is probably a correct one. If it were not so conceived originally, the Anglo-French advice may by this time have made it so. On the other hand it is not likely that the Republicans will be satisfied with soft words alone. The terroristic campaign which troops under General Franco are carrying out against people of his own race constitutes a most serious blot upon his personal reputation, and, if in time his name is remembered with execration, it will be but his just due, That will not help the Spanish Government, and the real question which arises concerns a method of putting a stop to his hideous behaviour. The solution seems to be provided by Signor Mussolini himself. Upon his advice General Franco is reported to have agreed to refrain from further bombing of British vessels, and the conclusion is drawn that if he and the German Government were to bring similar pressure to bear upon him with regard to the bombing of republican open towns he would also refrain. It would be a much more positive action than mere threats of retaliation, and would amount to a gesture which would be received with approbation throughout the whole of the world. Gestures such as these are not lightly to be disregarded in these days, and such action would have striking repercussion not only in Europe but also in the United States where public opinion is strengthening against dictatorships. It is realized that it is asking a lot to suggest that this step should be taken by them, for, if it were, it would have certain implications in the Far East which might tend io weaken the Berlin-Rome-Tokyo pact.
It would amount to implied disapproval of much that has been happening in China.
But there is more to it than that. Mr.
Neville Chamberlain's announcement that he was proceeding to draft a code applicable to warfare in the air has been welcomed by statesmen of the United States, and of other countries as well. The greater part of world opinion is irrevocably opposed to such things as have happened in Spain, and an opportunity is here presented for both Italy and Germany to indicate their disapproval of the methods pursued by the men lurider General Franco's command. Should they not do so, and General Franco persists in his evil courses, the danger of the Republican Government getting out of hand will be increased. It is all very well to expect that Great Britain and France should bring pressure to bear upon Barcelona, but if ever there were a time when ce-operation is needed it is surely now Ipsi p mee mee and in such a splendid gesture. Should the Spanish Government take the bit between the teeth and decide that it will go down in a worldwide welter of blood, it may even then be frustrated. Should it indeed bomb Italian cities and Italy decides to retaliate, both France and Great Britain may very properly decide to keep out of the trouble that must ensue by remaining neutral in accordance with the policy of non-intervention. It might be difficult in view of the indignation which prevails in both those countries, but their governments might very well take the view that it is better that the Spanish Government should be defeated than that the whole of Europe, if not the world be involved in a war the dire results of whith might very well exceed human calculation. In the opinion of this journal that would be the wise course to adopt, even though it be so cynical a one as to be based on the theory that it is better that the few should suffer instead of the many. It would mean the destruc-tien of republican Spain, and the quickest way for it to commit suicide is to fallow the course which it has indicated. Be that as it may the better course seems to be for the two Dictators to bring pressure to bear upon General Franco, for he is ruining his own reputation and besmirching the cause for which he claims to be fighting.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.