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considering this method of warfare as barbarous, inhuman and
contrary to all the rules of international law? How is it possible
that, once the systematic employment of such a method has been
proved, thanks to the praiseworthy initiative taken by the Government
of the United Kingdom, the democratic governments should remain
passive or indifferent, without attempting to apply the effective
measures which are doubt at their disposal, so as to halt and
terminate such usage? Why, then, was the Commission of Investigation
instituted? To cover up the absence of adequate reaction, after
having perfectly established the reality of the crime?
(3) Nevertheless it is only just to recognise that when the
British Commission of Investigation was designated, and when
it was decided in the last League Assembly that its findings
should be transmitted, to the Secretary-General to be published
and communicated to the he Council, it was hoped, and believed,
that if these reports showed the systematic application of aerial
bombardments of the civilian population in Spain, then the mere
publication of them would provoke such a movement of public opinion
in the world as would render impossible , or at least restrain
the employment of such methods of warfare. If this movement of
opinion has not come about, would if consequently the publication
of the findings of the Commission not only has failed to limit
the aerial bombardments on the Spanish civilian population, but
has not even helped to prevent their recrudescence and intensification
in these last days, that fact does not diminish the responsibility
of the democratic Governments; on the contrary, it makes that
responsibility greater and more precise. The reports of the Commission
have not produced the result expected Of them, but, on the other
hand, they have brought conclusive proof of the deeds themselves;
things which could formerly, with reason, have been considered
as hypothetical, must now be admitted as real and positive. And
% faced with this reality, established and proven as it is beyond
all doubt by the findings of the Commission, no one can now escape
his heavy and solemn responsibilities.
(4) The Spanish Government proclaims with the pride its "helplessness"
to protect the civilian population of its towns end countryside
against the aerial bombardments, by application of the one effective
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