SPAIN AND THE AXIS POWERS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 244, 13 July 1939, Page 8

SPAIN AND THE AXIS POWERS

No effort has been made in Rome to disguise the purpose of the visit which is being paid to Spain, by the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano. It has been planned, Count Ciano himself stated at the weekend, “to discuss economic, political and military relations,” and as “a confirmation of Italo-Spanish solidarity.” To some extent, perhaps, the visit is also a precautionary move by Signor Mussolini to strengthen the bonds between Nationalist Spain and the axis Powers in view of the recent statement by the Spanish Ambassador in Paris. This was to the effect that his Government was intent upon neutrality, and had entered no military commitments in Europe. In the event of war, complete neutrality on the part of Spain would be a serious handicap to Italo-German strategy; indeed, it is not unlikely that the attitude of Spain in any major dispute, especially one involving the Mediterranean area, would determine the issue of peace or war.

The Spanish leader, General Franco, is deeply compromised with Germany and Italy. Both German and Italian blood was spilt to give him victory, and he accepted unlimited assistance in the way of ■munitions and war material. It is highly improbable that such generous support was forthcoming without a clear undertaking to support the cause of the central dictatorships, both economically and by diplomatic, and even military, co-operation; but even if this were not the case, there remains the fact that Spain is now Fascist-controlled. The extreme Falange, or Spanish Fascist Party, is dominant, and since the end of the civil war the party has turned its attention to an aggressive expansionist policy. It is rather significant that a Spanish military delegation has just returned from Berlin after, it is stated by a Times correspondent, having made arrangements for “an exchange of technicians and military leaders between Italy, Germany and Spain.” The Times infers from this that Spain is more deeply committed to Germany than has been hitherto admitted, though it is yet too early to predict the future of Spanish foreign policy. Powerful Spanish interests, however, oppose too close co-operation with the totalitarian Powers. It will remain to be seen what control General Franco, who has denied that he has ambitions beyond the present Spanish borders, is able to exercise over his more extreme following, and to what extent he can remain aloof from Italo-German influence.