Spanish Policy

Southland Times, Issue 24841, 5 September 1942, Page 4

Spanish Policy

THE Cabinet changes in Spain are of special interest at the present time. They have taken place during a critical phase in the North African campaign—and, indeed, in the whole war —and it is inevitable that speculation on their meaning should be turned mainly towards questions of foreign policy. The most significant move is the dismissal of Senor Suner. This ambitious man is General Franco’s brother-in-law. His post as Foreign Minister, and his standing as President of the Falange, made him a powerful influence in Spanish politics. There has never been any doubt that his sympathies in the present war lay entirely with the Axis. And on more than one occasion there has been evidence that he was prepared to pass from sympathy to an active support. It was he who told the United States Ambassador, Mr Alexander W. Weddell: “I hope and believe in a German victory. I will stop at nothing to help to hasten it.” That was in April 1941 when all the signs pointed to'Spain’s entry into the war on the side of the Axis. Rudolf Hess flew to Madrid with a message from Hitler. German pressure was applied with growing intensity, so that British staff conferences were held at Gibraltar, and Mr Churchill gave warning that the war “might spread to Spain.” Curiously enough, recent cable messages have included references to British activities at Gibraltar, diplomatic moves, and rumours of a Spanish attack on Portugal. Although the situation seems to be less dangerous than it was last year the points of similarity are numerous enough to suggest that Spanish policy has once again been veering towards the brink of war. In 1941 General Franco stood firm, resisting pressure from Germany and from influential members of his own Cabinet. In his public statements he has frequently supported the Axis; but there can be little doubt that the basic aim of his policy is to preserve Spanish neutrality. The dismissal of Suner may therefore have been a drastic measure to remove the influence of a man who might not hesitate to embroil Spain—if necessary, by means of an underground co-operation with the Nazis. It is significant that General Varela, who has also been removed from his post as Minister of War, was a strong 'supporter of Suner’s pro-Nazj pol-

icy. Moreover, it was reported last year that the Ministry of the Interior (which now passes under new control) had become “practically a branch of the Gestapo.” The important fact emerges, therefore, that General Franco has swept out of office the three men who have worked consistently for Germany. It isi difficult not to believe that this move is intended to introduce a more stable phase in Spain’s relations with the Allies.