LITTLE SYMPATHY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 210, 2 June 1944, Page 5

LITTLE SYMPATHY

Britons’ Attitude To Franco Spain (By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.! LONDON, .May 31. Discussion on the possible day for the start, of invasion has almost taken, second place to comment un Mr. Churchill's references to Spain. His ‘‘kindly words” have found very little response, but some querulous and even angry comment. Most of the criticism comes from the Left, which remembers events in Spain before the war as much as General Franco's actions during the war, and cannot understand why Mr. Churchill is apparently determined to stamp out Fascism in Germany and Italy but to condone it in Spain. While “The Times” said that Mr. Churchill was speaking in remembrance of perils of the past and that, “whatever else may have been controversial, he was on sure ground when he said he was doing no more than repeat in the hour of our strength the words he used to the Spaniards in the hour of our weakness,” the “Daily Telegraph" rather frigidly said : "It is doubtful whether the British public would welcome any* development in our altitude, toward General Franco from the correct to the effusive.” A. J. Cummings, in the “News Chronicle.'' began a commentary by asking “What sort of people does ho think we are?’ and continued: “Whatever Mr. Churchill may say. and whatever his reason for saying 'it. the people of this country will never take his complaisant view about General Franco.” This morning, n week ufter his speech the “Daily Herald” published an open letter to Mr. Churchill in which the writer said he was puzzled and alarmed by .Mr. Churchill's altitude, and ended: “We are nor with you in this matter.” Sir Samuel Hoare, the British Ambassador to Spain, has returned to Madrid after four weeks in .England.