Reactions in the Peninsula

In Spain, while certain sections of the Press and certain elements in the body politic seem anxious to exacerbate feeling against Great Britain, the Catholic papers view with reasonable alarm the inroads of Soviet Communism into Eastern Europe under the eyes and with the allowance of the erstwhile protagonists in the AntiComintern Pact.
" Suppose Germany did win, that her victory was complete and definitive," wrote a leading Portuguese paper at the beginning of June: " however much the errors and sins of the Allies may deserve a punishment so severe, that would not justify iniquity. The moral and juridical factor is much more important than the mere winning or losing of the war."
AGAINST SOVIET EXPANSION In Catholic Spain the paper Ye, which, like the rest of the present Press, always clamoured for the repeal of the Versailles Treaty, declared: " Not always does the simple fact of restoring the status quo before Versailles became suitable for Europe's spiritual unity."
Even the extreme Falangist Fascist paper Arriba remarked early this week that the Russian move took place under" the cover of victories in which the Moscow Government only played the role of spectator, running no risks."
The newspaper printed a Berlin message seeking to justify the Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Bukovina. Editorially, however, it condemned the idea of the Soviet now holding another 19,305 square miles of Europe, and ended by saying: " Eternally firm in the maintenance of her Catholic and military vocations. Spain is to-day, as she was yesterday, and as she will be to-morrow, against the idea of any Soviet expansion in the world."
Special Day of Honour to Bl. Oliver Plunket
It is the wish of the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland that Sunday, July 14, the Sunday immediately following the Feast of the Blessed Oliver Plunket (Thursday, July 11), should be kept as a day of Special Devotion in honour of the Blessed Oliver,
This was announced by the Irish Hierarchy after their meeting at Maynooth last week.
The statement continued: " Whilst the details of the celebrations on that day are to be fixed definitely by individual pastors and rectors, it is recommended that as many as possible of the Faithful should receive Holy Communion, that there should be special evening devotions, and a sermon or conference on the life or some aspect of the life of Blessed Oliver."
POLISH SAILORS GIVE STATUES TO LONDON
The officers and men of the Polish destroyers Burza and Beyskawica have presented two statues to the Polish Church, London, in thanksgiving for their safe return from the battles of Narvik and Dunkirk. The statues were carved by Mr. Lindsay Clark and represent St. Stanislaus Kostka, and St. Andrew Bobola, polish Jesuit Saints.
The statues were blessed and placed on the high altar on Sunday last by Mgr. Gawlina, Bishop-in-Ordinary to the Polish Forces. The Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Naval Forces and a large number of Polish naval officers and men were present for the ceremony.
Bishop Gawlina has now taken up residence at 2, Devonia Road, London, N.1.