SPAIN UNABLE TO FIGHT A MODERN WAR

Chronicle (Levin), 23 May 1946, Page 5

SPAIN UNABLE TO FIGHT A MODERN WAR

BUT FOCAL PGINT OF FASCIST INFLUENCE Received Wednesdav, 7.20 p.m. XEW YORK, Alay 21. An Ameriean rejiort submitted to tlie sub-commiltee iiivesligating Spaiu states Fnited-States believes Spain cannot at present fight a modern war, and does not possess direct evidence of the production of atoinie cnefgy witliin Spain. The report adils that tlie- State Department knows of uranium deposits in Spain, but part froin oue uucoufirmed report that oue uranium niine may be in production United States has no evidence supporting rumours relating to the production of atomic energy. Fnited States possesses no evidence lcading it to believe that in other lields there is signilicant progress in Spain in the development of new weapons or mothods of destruction. The report charges Xationalist Spain from tlie outset to the present, with fomenting focal points of Xazi and Fas-c-ist influence in tlie western hemisphere. Spanish diploniatic ofticials and Spaniards in quasi-oflicial organisations for years have been encouraging groups witliin the other Ameriean Republies which opposed inter-American unity against tlie Axis during the war and which still strive to perpetuate the principles of the Axis system in tlie new world. The report adds that the present strength of the Spanish armed forces is estimated at more t^ian 1,(509,000 but the war wag'ing capacity is limited by the inadequacv of raw materials and industrial facilities, poor transportation and laclc of progress in developing liighly technical equipment. The report also alleges that Franco had not. cooperated fully in returning Germans to Germany. Arge.ntina infornied the comniittee she did not possess information on the question of tlie Franco rog'ime being a menaee to world peace. Xorway offered to participate in international action in favour of a demoeratic Spaiu.