SPAIN NOT ABLE TO FIGHT MODERN WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 118, 23 May 1946, Page 5

SPAIN NOT ABLE TO FIGHT MODERN WAR

BELIEF OF AMERICA

NO EVIDENCE OF NEW WEAPONS Recd. 7.20 p.m. New York, May 21. An American report, submitted to the sub-committee investigating Spain, states that the United States believes Spain cannot at present light a modern war, and does not possess direct evidence of production of atomic energy within Spain. The report adds: "The State Department knows of uranium deposits in Spain, and. that the State has reserved their exploitation. Apart from one unconfirmed report that one uranium mine may be in production, the United States has no evidence supporting the rumours relating to the production of atomic energy. The United States possesses no evidence leading it to believe that in other fields there is significant progress in Spain in the development of new weapons or methods of destruction.

The report charges Nationalist Spain, from the outset to the present, with fomenting focal points of Nazi and Fascist influence in the Western Hemisphere. Spanish diplomatic officials and Spaniards in quasi-official organisations, for years have been encouraging groups within other American Republics which were opposed to inter-American unity against the Axis during the war. and which still strive to perpetuate the principles of the Axis system in the new world.” The report adds: "The present strength of the Spanish armed forces is estimated at more than 600,000. Their warwaging capacity is limited by the inadequacy of raw materials, and industrial facilities, noor transportation, and lack of progress in developing highly technical equipment.” The report also alleges that Franco has not co-operated fully in returning Germans to Germany. Argentine informed the committee that she did nut possess Information on the question of the Franco regime being a menace to world peace Norway has offered to narticlpate in international action in favour of a democratic Spain.