- SOME QUESTIONS ON SPAIN

[To the Editor 'of THE SPECTATOR.]

•

SIR,--Some months ago, believing as so many of your recent correspondents have apparently also believed, that your journal would present a fair survey and comment upon the important affairs of the moment, I became a yearly subScriber. I much' regret' that' I did SO. Your tendentious editorial observations on the Spanish question smacks so much of the typical Communism as preached by our Bloomsburian intelligentsia that it becomes nauseating, and I much prefer the honest to goodness Bolshevism of the Daily Worker.

I would Le interested to know, as I know many of your readers would also be interested, if you would answer (Editorially) the following questions.

(1) Are you a Christian ?

• (2) Do you agree that Communism as manifested in Russia, or by what you are pleased to call the legitimate government in Spain, is anti-Christian in its murder of priests and defilement of nuns and sacking of convents both before 'and after the so-called Revolution ? . _

(3) If you do agree that these methods are anti-Christian why do you persist in-glossing over these horrors and support the Spanish Government responsible for them ?

(4) A propos of (a) your expressed intention in your issue - of September 25th to allow a number of gentlemen (whose Left leanings are known) to write articles on Christianity and Communism, and (b) the Popes recent public and unqualified denunciation of Communism and all its works and pomps, will you also afford facilities to, say, the Archbishop of West- minster or Father C. C. Martindale, S.J., to contribute to this series ? • If you will deal. with these matters clearly, and publish this .. letter, I will have some respect for your alleged fairness on the Spanish question, as at present I have none.

.In,,your short reference to the Spanish war it is significant that even as a man you couldn't find it possible to spare a word of praise for the unflinching valour of the Spanish Cadets who, despite tremendous odds, have kept at bay the so-called Government troops, with their massed artillery and quantities

re

of petrol used in a last, resort to burn out the young defenders

., • of the.glorious Alcazar. •

"Even, the ranks of Ttiscany . . . " doeS not apparently -apply to the Editor of The Spectator.—I am, Sir, yours truly, Ft- Tree Court, -Temple, E.C'. 4.. HERBERT MALONE.

• ffly Yes. • • • (2)• The atrocities mentioned, foul as they are, are not directed against Christianity as Christianity but against .the dominant Churches -in the two countries, mainly on account of their political and social attitude.

(3) It has been repeatedly stated in The Spectator, that so far as atrocities go there is nothing to.choose between the two sides. We have supported the Government because it holds office as the result of a fairly free election ; the insurgents claim no sanction but force.

(4) The Rev.. M. C. D'Arcy, S.J., had already been invited to contribute to the series "Christianity and Communism," and has consented.—En. The Spectator.]