TROUBLE IN SPAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 21, 25 July 1939, Page 8

TROUBLE IN SPAIN

Spain since the end of the civil war in March has been an entirely uncertain quantity in the inter? national world of Europe. Various statements have been made from time to time by Spanish political leaders on the winning side, but there has

been no unanimity on the attitude of the new Spain towards the groups of Powers into which Europe tends to divide. The Axis' Powers—Germany and Italy4—have claimed General Franco for an ally, but it was stated on June 21, according to the Paris correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company, that "Spain has officially informed France that, in event of a European war, Spain proposes to remain neutral." Subsequently Count Ciano visited Spain lon behalf of Italy, and on July 15, a message from San Sebastian announced that the talks between him and General Franco had "affirmed complete solidarity in the viewpoints and objectives of Spain and Italy," and it had been "decided to develop the collaboration on their mutual interests." This, of course, is diplomatic language and may mean much or little. . Had a definite alliance or adhesion to the Axis Powers • been arranged, no doubt something to that effect would have been included in the statement. Whatever may be the personal desires of General Franco, it appears from certain items in the cable news that neither he nor Spain itself is in a position at the moment to take sides.

There have been several indications that Spain is still not united and that the leaders of the victorious army do not see e}'e to eye with one another. Yesterday it was announced |on the authority of the Hendaye cori respondent of "The Times" that General Queipo de Llano, who played a prominent part in the civil war as commander of the nationalist forces in (he south, with headquarters at Seville, had been dismissed because he used imprudent words at the Seville celebrations of the anniversary of the rebellion. A message today adds that the General publicly complained that, while he and other; leaders who had been largely responsible for the nationalist victory had been passed over, honours had been showered on foreigners. The reference is to the reported ascendancy of Senor Suner, General Franco's brother-in-law, and Minister of the Interior, in the Falangist Party, the strongest force today in Spain, and his pro-Italian views. On the other side, with General Vague and General de Llano as leaders, is the important section of the nationalists whose 'motto is "Spain for the Spaniards." Reports reaching the frontier seem to show that the dispute is serious, threatening disorder, and that General Franco has taken military measures, described as "extraordinary." Public meetings have been prohibited and demobilised non-commissioned officers have been recalled to the colours. General de Llano is reported to have advocated drastic action by, the army in order to secure Spain for the Spaniards. Such movements are not uncommon among Spaniards, who are nothing if not individualists. Similar cleavages were apparent on both sides during the actual war, and were probably fatal to the lessdisciplined loyalists. They are reappearing among the nationalists after victory at a time when Spain needs all her strength to recover from the havoc of civil war. It is obvious that a long period of rest and freedom from foreign adventures is necessary if the recovery of Spain is to be effective.