p. 939-953

The Spanish Civil War reminds me a little of the Greek War for independence in how involved foreign countries got involved in fighting on one side or the other. That war was one of Christian liberalism versus the Turkish invaders, but this war became, in the end, a proxy war. It was fascists versus everybody else that was left of the center political line. It remained ostensibly a civil war because no other governments were officially involved, but many of the Republican fighters were foreigners there of their own volition and the Soviets and Germans provided much of the firepower and practiced tactics that would come into greater prominence in World War I. This article from The Times of London was written April 28, 1937 and shows the horror that was felt (by the press, at least) at the mechanical nature the war had taken on. The writing here portrays the conflict of one of machines against humanity, especially with the detail of the bravery of the Basque clergy, as seeming approval of the Christianity of the Republican side. But such a horrific event cannot help but inspire such emotional coverage, even if ruthless efficiency in destroying a town does not lend itself to reports of a glorious struggle or deeds of heroism. It is interesting that Guernica is in Basque territory, meaning that the Basque autonomous government had, in fact, sided with the Spanish Republicans. Did they make themselves a target by voluntarily siding with the Spanish, or did they have no choice under the rules of their autonomy?