Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1944. FRIENDS OF THE AXIS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 January 1944, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1944. FRIENDS OF THE AXIS.

|T must be a misguided “neutral’ that 1 at this stage of the global war gives support to the Axis. Personal more than patriotic considerations must be influenc ing those in South America and Spain who are pro-Axis in deed, whatever their words. Argentina’s jealousy of the U.S.A, accounts for some of the friendship shown to Germany. Argentina has the ambition of leading the Southern and Central republics of America but finds a strong rival in the U.S.A., politically and commercially. Mr. Roosevelt’s “good neighbour” policy is regarded by Argentina as

merely a clever move in the game, and she takes every opportunity to counter-effect it. Practically all the American republics, with the exception of Argentina, have announced pro-Ally policies,, but Argentinans and Nazi-agents have conspired and spent money freely to overcome these decisions. British and U.S.A, financiers and industrialists have done much to develop Argentina and to make the people prosperous —with good dividends for themselves, sometimes, —but are not popular among the ruling classes. The Germans have catered more for support, and in the 1914-18 as well as the present war, have received great aid from Argentinans, in every way except militarily. Anglo-U.S.A. officials were well aware of this, and have cause for resentment at the breaches of neutrality. The British are more complacent than are the Americans, who are served by sections of their Press with sensational stories of Argentinan designs. The latest is a report that Hitler has chosen Argentina as his refuge when the Nazis are finally defeated, and that, meanwhile, Nazis and Argentinans are engaged in a conspiracy to form a huge South American combine against the U.S.A. Bolivia is already said to have joined in the plot and further “revolts” are being prepared.

Revolts are easily arranged in South and Central America, Presidents and dictators coining and going. Most of these enjoy very temporary supremacy, and can be easily deposed if the terms offered are attractive. Argentina’s present Government is a collection of Army chiefs, who have copied Nazi methods against home critics. 'As a consequence, these have been silenced for the time being. This Administration claims to be pro-Allies, but is mainly pro-self, and as the Nazis promise support and the Allies are critical, especially the U.S.A., the Ramirez Government’s deeds are all pro-Axis. It is not advisable to believe all the reports about Argentinan duplicity, nor to become alarmed at the prospect of a South America united against the Allies. The Argentinan attitude has a nuisance value, hut with Brazil strongly for the Allies, and the other Republics inclined to be, the Argentinans and the Nazis have a hopeless task if they are endeavouring to start an unholy war. The Allies’ relations with Spain are also becoming a topic for public discussion. General Franco is pro-German, and realises that his fall will follow that of the Nazis. Most Spaniards wish the national neutrality to be complete, as the results of Spain’s civil war are still being acutely felt. Franco took advantage of the Allies’ difficulties in the earlier years of the war, but be should realise now that he is in a less enviable position to-day. Mr. Eden is being criticised for his moderation towards Spain, but he should be commended. It is not in Britain’s interest to throw Spain right into the Nazi grip, but the time is near when “protests” will give way to definite action, and Spanish slights be no more accepted passively. It was a triumph for British di])lomacy to keep Spain out of the war when Germany was winning* It can be safely left to those responsible to continue to do what is best for Britain and for the whole Allied cause.