Few modern events have aroused more controversy than the Spanish Civil War. This controversy was especially acute in Great Britain, which was torn between its distrust of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy on the one hand and of Communist Russia on the other. The British public, pacifist in sentiment and determined to avoid war at almost any cost, sensed the danger implicit in the Civil War, yet realised its impotence to control events in Spain which indeed it little understood. The British Government, though under heavy attack from the Opposition and from a handful of its own supporters, succeeded in its endeavours to keep the country out of war on this occasion. The neutrality of Spain, even after Mussolini had entered World War II, was of inestimable value to Britain after the debacle in the summer of 1940. It may be therefore that British policy during the Civil War paid off later on as well as achieving its purpose at the time. Dr. Kleine's book, lucidly written and carefully documented, exยญ amines the British attitude toward the Spanish Civil War. The author has the advantage of belonging to a generation which is able to analyse these events with historical detachment. Yet his understanding and easy style have made the period live. Neutrality was not easy for Britain. Its far-reaching interests in trading with Spain and in passage through Iberian waters again and again raised awkward problems
CONTENT
1. The World of Imagination -- 2. The Cross of the Spaniards -- I. Formulation of a Policy -- 1. Search -- 2. The Problems of the Opposition -- II. Metamorphosis of Non-Intervention -- 1. Support Withdrawn -- 2. Further Complications -- 3. The League of Nations Ignored -- III. Conflict of Interests -- 1. A Vital Artery -- 2. Prohibition and Control -- 3. Unfulfilled Desires -- IV. Change of Leadership -- 1. Defense of Interests -- 2. Chamberlain Takes Over -- 3. The Boulevard des Inconnus -- 4. The Mediterranean Conference -- V. Themes and Variations -- 1. Geneva Debates -- 2. Dissent in the Labour Party -- 3. Counter Proposals and Reservations -- 4. Indignant Resignation -- VI. Struggle for Spanish Resources -- 1. British Business Interests -- 2. The Indirect War -- 3. Recognition in Fact -- VII. Results of Violation -- 1. Spheres of Separation -- 2. The Resignation of Eden -- VIII. Negotiating with Mussolini -- 1. Lord Halifax Becomes Foreign Minister -- 2. Bringing the Treaty into Force -- 3. A Game Ending in No Score -- Conclusion -- Chronology -- General Index
