The arrest of the French Consul in Malaga by the Spanish Nationalists as a reprisal for the apprehension of Commander Julian Troncoso, accused of being implicated in the attempt to seize a Spanish government submarine at Brest, throws an interesting light upon the attitude of the Nationalists towards the demand for recognition which has been one of General Franco's main objectives, It is necessary that a government which desires recognition should behave in a manner deserving of it, and there can be little doubt that this last incident indicates a degree of irresponsibility which should make recognition undesirable. It is, perhaps, natural that the Nationalists should seek to capture one of their enemy's submarines, natural, though perhaps rash, that they should even make an attempt upon a craft harbouring in a port of a neighbouring country. The attempt, daring as it was, will undoubtedly commend itself to those who admire deeds of detring-do, and there will be plenty of sympathy with the motives which actuated the endeavour. Had the marauders succeeded in getting away with the submarine probably nothing more would have been heard about it. But they failed, and some of those who were involved have been captured. They are very obviously guilty of at least a breach of. the peace so far as French law is concerned, and it is the duty of the government to vindicate its authority. The arrest of the French Consul at Malaga, apparently as a hostage for Commander Troncoso and his companions, is an endeavour to bring pressure upon the French government to change what would normally be an ordinary process of law and to secure Troncoso's release. Such an action indicates a singular lack of appreciation by General Franco's government of the requirements of international comity, and discounts suggestions that the Nationalists are yet deserving that recognition for which they make so much clamour.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.