THE FUTURE OF SPAIN

Marlborough Express, Volume 86, Issue 212, 6 September 1951, Page 9

THE FUTURE OF SPAIN

ISOLATION PERIOD ENDING | ADMIRAL SHERMAN'S VISIT

(Bv

Henry

Buckley,

Reuter Corre-

spondent) MADRID The full implications of the ! apparent ending of Spain's isolation from the community of \ nations by the visit here of the late Admiral Porrest Sherman are taking shape as the storm of controversy surrounding the visit j ebbs. Thc visit may well mark the end , of a period of nearly 150 years dur1 ing which Spain, except 011 fleeting occasions such as the Civil War, has walked alone, free from all international friendships or alliances. The Napole.onic wars, when Spain fought tenaciously alongside Britain and Portugal to overthrow Bonaparte, formed the last important episode of an international character in which Spain rejected isolation. For Spain, such a break with tradition would be a great event. Spain's own safety is involved in any decision to abandon the isolationist policy which has kept her territory free from harm through two world wars. No words spoken in the international arena in recent years have created such a deep impression in Spain as Mr Dean Acheson's phrase : "If Western Europe is attacked, it will be defended — not liberated."

The impression has been that if Soviet Russia struck westwards and achieved quick victory in Germany and France, then an unprepared Spain could not cherish many illusions about halting the impetus of a huge, triumphant army. NAVAL AND AIR BASES But a Spain prepared, taking up positions with the Western Allies behind the craggy peaks of the Pyrenees, a Spain with naval and air bases ready, does, it is believed here, put a different face upon the strategic panorama of Europe. Soviet Russia today could, if shs once broke across France, look forward to reaching the Straits of Gibraltar rapidly and without undue effort. This would give her the Atlantic coastline down to the southernmost tip of Portugal from which to organise an intensive sea-air blockade of Britain and North Africa, the two key-points which- would remain for Western activity. But if Spanish-American defence policy develops, as seems likely, this pleasing perspective fades for the attacker. Even given a rapid victory in the north, the prospect of a grim defence hedgehog bristling behind the Pyrenees is a discouraging factor for those planning the operation. Perhaps Madrid commentators are over-optimistic but they think that a Spain prepared for defence may well cause Russia to think twice before launching her clivisions west-

ward. July 16, it is said here, may prove to be an historic date for Spain and possibly even for the West as a whole. It was on the evening of that day that the late Admiral Sherman drove with very decided United States businessman-Ambassador, Mr Stanton GrifHs, in the latter's smart car across the arid, sun-baked landseape which separates modern Madrid from the painted, attractive Palace of E1 Pardo, to see the General who rules Spain's destinies. On the evening of that day Madrid commentators could not resist the temptation to recall a Decemb'er day in 1940 when a big Mercedes car made the same trip from Madrid to E1 Pardo. It also carried an admiral —Admiral Canaris, Intelligence Chief to Hitler. Admiral Canaris also wanted Spain to cease to walk alone. He wanted Spanish collaboration in "Operation Felix," planned for a few weeks ahead, for January 10, 1941, and for which the specialised' German troops were already massed north of the Pyrenees. STRICT CEN SORSHIP The objectives of "Operation Felix*' were Gibraltar and North Africa. In December, 1940, General Frnnnn

said. "No." So far as is known his general answer to Admiral Sherman s request for Spanish collaboration in Western defence was: "Yes." With a sharp censorship, it is not easy to be quite sure, but judging ?y , ppinions heard in Spain s eal Pailiament — the cafes — it seems fairly certain that the majority of people today favour collaboration with the West, just as it opposed an aliiance with Germany in 1940. In m°inoritySeS' theie WaS an °PP°sinS • ,5 1945,' Quite a number of Spaniards and some influential ones, were Wholly m favour of Spain joining Tofay' there are quite aj nurnbet who claim that Spain should y once again to remain neutral in the case of a third world war. But the great factor in favour of fc>pam s participation in Western de- 1 Them ^ °f hei" 0Wn safety. mem are othcr factors. The equip-SoSp-n? pam s emPty-h.anded but a^y and development of ah hiS ,^efences to her sea and noripnnf W lncrease Spain's importanee as a nation. jnSpaui ,ha« much on her own ° O ost her industrialisation but ~S-1S n° Slow> The vast primi" nJed S 1 areas of A;adalusia need modern remedies, and at once. thP lfQ f revoIutionary age and demanrt r fnd workers of Spain todav In t changes so Spaniards vavy A°kf across the blue-green furrowPri" ;the Atlantic, waves once shins t , y Kthree sma11 Spanish Chricfn f a Genoese- named Cliiistopher Columbus. in 1420. hv10day' tke soiitar.y roacl trodden been hini J Qeai'ly 150 years has wlio toou e/n by a sea-fa"ng man t00k tke reverse route, by an ernmemnf AClnrllraJ 5ent by his Gov" s'Vin fn q -°ffer a hand of frienclsnip to Spam. na th trn 1 L iU ,Spain knows where a pafch hand-in-hand by Spain SaioiftvenfCac= may lead but the ^ Y pamards think that it nornn- w a happier> more prostZfr and more stabIe future for tneir country.