Spain and Foreign Troops Dr. Negrin's announcement to the League
of Nations Assembly that the Spanish Government had decided to repatriate all foreigners fighting in its ranks is an opportune if painful reminder that international problems have still to be settled in other quarters than Central Europe. The decision is on the face of it surprising, for it seems unliltely that it will have any influence on General Franco's decision regarding the much larger number of foreign troops by whose aid alone he maintains his position. He was only -likely to agree to dispense with part of them in consideration of an equal or proportionate reduction on the other side. If the Government dispenses with its foreigners uncon- ditionally the tasis for a bargain disappears, but its moral position will no doubt be greatly strengthened when it can claim that purely Spanish forces are fighting against an army dependent for its survival on foreign battalions. The International Brigade, which has fought with conspicuous gallantry in the forefront of every battle, has been reduced to half its strength. Dr. Negrin's decision will relieve the Non-Intervention Commission, whose own attempts to negotiate the repatriation of foreigners had broken down completely, of serious embarrassment.
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