Stressing the point that no actions of the democratic majority government of the Spanish Loyalists could justify armed rebellion against it, David E. Feller '38 last night carried the case for the Leftists in a debate sponsored by the Student Union at Peabody Hall, Phillips Brooks House.
Feller took the affirmative side of the question, "Resolved: That this house support the Loyalist Government in Spain," defeating the negative speaker, Merwin K. Hart, Jr. '40, by an audience vote of 17 to 9. A second show of hands revealed that the audience's sympathies lay with the Leftists by a ten vote margin.
In contrast to the democratic basis of the Loyalist administration, the rebels draw their support from the army, the organized hierarchy of the Spanish Church, and big industry Feller stated. No actions of the Loyalists justified revolt, accompanied by the wholesale importation of foreign troops and equipment, he said.
U.S. News Biased
United States news sources are biased in favor of the Leftists according to Hart. Admitting that the Socialist government was elected by a majority, be claimed that subsequent tyranny and oppression precipitated the rebellion. He cited widespread executions by the Madrid government as an immediate cause of rebellion.
To Clarify Position
The debate was held for the purpose of clarifying the Student Union's official position on the Spanish situation, by placing representatives of both sides on an equal footing. Two weeks ago members heard Ralph Bates speak on Spain, and last week the policy toward the rebellion was discussed at a general meeting.
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