Signor Mussolini and Spain The Spanish Government stubbornly refuses to
admit defeat, and though General Franco's advance continues, it has lost its momentum and his gains are small and slow. Entrenched behind their rivers, swollen by the summer floods, the Catalans are capable of a prolonged resistance, the great citadel of Madrid has yet to be taken, and even Valencia, whose fall was confidently predicted a fortnight ago, still holds out. There is no doubt, however, that the Republicans' success at the last moment in checking General Franco's offensive was only made possible by renewed supplies of arms which entered Spain by the French frontier ; they are reported to have come from the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. In the air especially the Government appears to have had considerable reinforcements. The calculations of General Franco and of Signor Mussolini have once again miscarried ; there is still no sign of the quick victory which Signor Mussolini desires as much as General Franco, for the maintenance of troops and material in Spain is a heavy responsibility for Italy to carry. Signor Mussolini's outburst of irritation is, in such circumstances, under- standable ; but Spain is for France a vital interest, especially in the eyes of the General Staff, and it is out of the question to concede to Italy that monopoly in intervention which the Duce seems to demand.
