Spanish Ingratitude

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 115, 10 February 1944, Page 4

Spanish Ingratitude

Sir, —'Spanish newspapers say rather petulantly that if Spain had accepted “a ride in the German war chariot” in the early days of the big conflict, “when England faced the invincible armies alone, her intervention might have been a decisive factor in the defeat of a nation that has harmed Spain often in the past.” I am not very much concerned with the first portion of this paragraph, but I am very much interested in the part which refers to the “defeat of a nation that has harmed Spain often in the past.”

Has Spain forgotten the Peninsula War, when her country was invaded by Napoleon’s troops, and to the urgent appeals of her juntas. Cunning generously responded by sending money, arms, clothing , and food supplies in profusion? British troops were poured into the Peninsula, . and after some six years’ bitter fighting Spain was cleared of the invaders. And let it not be forgotten that/England bore the big brunt of the fighting, and, at times, under terrible hardships Writing from Badajos, October 30, ISW), to the Marquis of Wellesley, Wellington says: “I was waited on by the ■Spanish intendant of provisions to claim for the Spanish army 16,000 rations of bread, which had been brought into Talavera, and had been sent to my quarters, and which were delivered over to him, notwithstanding that the British .troops were in want,” As Napier said: “England expended over £100,000,000 sterling on her operations. She subsidized Spain and Portugal besides, and with the supplies of clothing, arms and ammunition maintained the armies of both, even to the guerrillas. From 30,000 to 70,000 British troops were employed constantly. They killed, wounded and captured 200,000 enemies. The bones of 40,000 British soldiers lie scattered on the plains and mountains of the Peninsula.” —I am, etc., J. .A. WALSH. Paliiatua, February 8.