“IF FRANCO WINS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23499, 13 May 1938, Page 8

“IF FRANCO WINS”

The above title is that under which the Burgos correspondent of The Times contributes an illuminating discussion of the internal political and economic position of Rightist Spain. The Leftists, virtually forsaken by their erstwhile Soviet allies, herded remorsely upon themselves in a campaign that has rarely allowed them to take the offensive, can hardly be regarded as the potential victors in the grim and bitter civil war. And the Nationalists have, in confidence and practical necessity, already established the working concept of a new form of administration. According to the Burgos correspondent of The Times, the machine is functioning with surprising efficiency. The predominant fact of the new regime in international interest is, of course, that it is a Fascist dictatorship. General Franco, the dictator, is head of the State, head of the Government, and head of the only recognised political party. Under him is a Ministry charged with responsibility for the various departments of State. It is composed principally of the leaders of the political elements which have supported the Nationalist movement. They are answerable to the dictator alone. The only channel of communication -between the Ministry and the people is the Falange Espanola Tradicionalista, the “F.E.T.,” formed through the fusion of the Rightist parties of the pre-civil war era.' It is “the sole political entity in the State,’’ entrusted with the responsibility of educating the people in the ideals of the Nationalist movement, and interpreting “ the will of the people to the Government and the acts of the Government to the people.” And there is little serious danger of disagreement with the Government since the same men are at the head of both the dictatorship and the National Council of the Falange Espanola. While this convenient arrangement necessarily prevents any independent body of political opinion making itself heard in Nationalist Spain, the principle of consultation between the Government and its single party has not, The Times’s informant declares, been unfruitful. Many important policy measures have received the approval of the Falange Espanola before being adopted, and it forms a useful link between the Ministry and the dominant sections of public opinion. As to the accomplishment of the Nationalist regime in other than warlike pursuits, it would be too early to write yet. But it appears that already in the Rightist territories the first steps have been taken to restore and reconstruct the internal economy, in anticipation of the day when Spain will be “ a gigantic syndicate of producers.” Both Marxism and “ capitalism ” are repudiated under the Fascist programme. Nationalisation of the public services, including the banks, is favoured, Special agricultural measures require that the farmer shall grow his produce acting under instructions from a Corporation, which also buys it at a fixed price. It is a programme designed upon the most optimistic of political ideologies, “to satisfy both the radical and the conservative elements in the country ” The testing of it has not fairly begun yet. But, always on the assumption of a Nationalist victory in the civil war, it would seem that Fascism is well prepared to impose its theories upon the Spanish people. That these are the negation of individual freedom, and can and no doubt will be impressed on the people with entire ruthlessness, may not affect the efficiency of the new machine, but will nullify its appeal to democratic countries.