PRESSURE IN THE WEST.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4429, 23 May 1941, Page 4

PRESSURE IN THE WEST.

THERE can be little to cause dismay, and nothing to excite surprise, if the persistent reports of Franco-Spanish agreements to allow Herr Hitler facilities for moving forces against Gibraltar are confirmed. The equally recurrent rumours that the Nazis are to be permitted to obtain a foothold in Syria as a stepping-off place for intervention in Iraq in support of the rebels must receive some credence. Both General Franco, the dictator but perhaps not the strongest man in Spain, and Marshal Petain, whose position in the counsels of Vichy may be similarly defined, have shown a considerable disinclination to have truck with Herr Hitler. It is not difficult to understand their hesitancy. The Fuehrer is one with whom even his friends prefer to sup at the length of a long spoon. But France, divided territorially under the terms of the armistice to the great hurt of all her people, is also officially divided among those counsellors at Vichy who are prepared to endure present hardships in the certain hope of a release from the Nazi yoke and those more opportunistic pro-Nazis who believe that collaboration in the nebu-

lous “ New Order ” promises immediate benefits, at least to themselves. Spain, still in parlous economic plight I two years after the conclusion, of the civil war, is equally susceptible to strong German pressure. Great Britain has assisted in Spanish reconstruction with fairly substantial loans, and has made needed food supplies available. But against this present help must be set the menacing presence of Nazi troops on the French side of the Hendaye bridge, the .promise of Herr Hitler—for what it is worth that he will supply ample food to Spain, and the violently proNazi sentiments of Franco’s brother-in-law, Senor Suner, Minister for Foreign Affairs. There is a possibility also that General Franco has been offered the inducement of territorial accessions in the event of a German triumph. Although Spain’s main pro-, blem at the moment is to maintain life, the prospect of future expansion is one that would have its. appealThe position permits of no wishful thinking as to the capacity of the old Marshal of France to honour his personal pledge to the British not to assist their enemies, and of General Franco to take, the risk of continuing to defy the Nazi-influenced Falangist Party and the threats of Herr Hitler. It is in the strength of Gibraltar to resist a siege, land the increasing force which Great Britain is gathering in the Middle East, that the confidence of democracy must be placed.