Page:Property and Improperty.djvu/8



has cast a baleful light upon the political and economic conflicts which have everywhere arisen between the owning classes and the working classes. For round the Spanish struggle this class distinction has everywhere taken definite shape in active assistance or declared sympathies. Countries under Fascist rule — Germany, Italy, Portugal — furnished arms to the Spanish rebels in the early stages of the rebellion, and in countries under popular self-government upper-class opinion and its Press gave clear expression to a wish for rebel victory. Working-class opinion everywhere supported the Spanish Government and was prepared to lend active aid, if it seemed necessary.

The origin and composition of the rcbellion against a popularly elected government also shed light upon the wider world conflict. As was inevitable, the core of rebellion lay with the army