FRANCE AND SPAIN.

Evening Star, Issue 23770, 28 December 1940, Page 8

FRANCE AND SPAIN.

The extent to which Nazi foreign policy is breaking down in Western Europe, just as it appears to have broken down in Eastern Europe, may bo estimated by the turn of events in France and Spain. According to a message received to-day, -the conviction is growing that the crisis at Vichy has ended with the dismissal of M. Laval, the man whoso move to sell his country completely to Hitler has been countered by Marshal Pctain. The answer to a possible question as to why the Nazis cannot force- France to do their bidding in all ways is seen in the information that unless they are willing to work with Petain they will have to occupy the whole of France, an undertaking which would add heavily to the burden already imposed on the German army. While it would bo unwise for Great Britain to hail with too much optimism the change of heart in distressed Franco, there arc grounds for believing that the “ Mon of Vichy ” will settle down into a happier family circle now that they are able to show a braver front to the aggressors. Discontent has been growing steadily in metropolitan France over since the people woke -p to the real consequences of the military collapse, and, although complete disarmament of the lighting forces must have been one .of Hitler's first orders, a hostile populace will not make the task of tho invaders any easier. Meanwhile General de Gaulle’s Free French forces arc becoming stronger ami more influential every day. The spirit of these staunch allies of Britain is reflected in a recent incr.-wge broadcast after the conquest of French Equa-

tonal Africa. Briefly it ran: “ The Free French will collect the French Empire piece by piece.” The more Hitler attempts to apply the screw in France itself the more determined will bo the resistance in the empire in Africa and elsewhere. Actually it would seem that the Government made a grievous mistake in not transferring itself to Africa and lighting on with the fleet and air force when the collapse of the army was certain. The hews from Spain suggests that General Franco, the most practical leader in the country, is determined on neutrality. The exhortations and advice of the good and courageous Pope are no doubt important factors iu influencing Spain’s attitude towards the war. The mass of the people in Spain and Italy can at heart have no sympathy with ttie barbaric brand of aggression with which the Nazi and Fascist regimes are menacing the civilised world, ft should be only a matter of time when a true alignment of the Christian countries will ensure the future sanctity of peace, freedom, and love among the nations. The economic position in Spain, moreover, is not sound. It is, indeed, so stringent that some military authorities declare outright military co-operation with the Axis to be impossible. A careful study of Spain’s resources shows that she is very short of food, fuel, and raw materials, the general conditions being even more serious than they are in France. But, apart from their economic sufferings, the Spaniards have never been happy at the thought of being chained to Hitler’s war chariot. They are in no mood to try giving aid to the Nazis, and any effort made by their loaders to force such aid might cause a revolt. The door, then, is being held against Germany in the Western Mediterranean. At the moment Hitler is as far from controlling Gibraltar as he is from dominating the Suez Canal. He may continue to attack England and cause destruction to civilian property, but the means of securing victory are slipping further and further away from his grasp. His next throw' will be desperate. Will it be concentrated on the British Isles, or is the Fuhror, cornered like the rat he is, still seeking to raise his prestige by a major coup in the Balkans? Tremendous issues are looming up fur decision in Europe's spring.