SPAIN AND THE WAR.

Evening Star, Issue 23692, 27 September 1940, Page 6

SPAIN AND THE WAR.

Germ aw and Italy are trying to induce Spain to enter the war. There is a suggestion of desperation about the Nazi tactics just now, both from the military and the diplomatic points of view. The entry of Spain on their side would give decided advantages to the Axis Powers. Scnor Suner is reported to be the real head of the Spanish Government, though his nominal post is that of Minister of the Interior. He is at present iu Berlin, accompanied by military and economic exports, and lias been received by Hitler.- After the long and exhausting civil struggle it seems extraordinary that the Government of Madrid would entertain the thought of plunging the country into war against any foreign Power. But it seems that the present Spanish political leaders have become infected with the ideas of expansion and conquest held by Hitler and Mussolini. General Franco declared recently that it was the, duty and mission of Spain to command Gibraltar and expand in Africa, and he added that Spain had 2,000,000 men ready to defend her rights, 'The members of the military organisation called the Falangists have been laying claims to Gibraltar, Tangier, Casablanca, Fez, Oran, and Algiers. Spain, like Rome, was once a great Power. As is the case with Mussolini, Franco and Suner want to restore that greatness. Judging from recent events, it is doubtful if the elements of greatness lie in the Spanish people to-day. In the developments the beaten Republicans have to be taken into consideration. They have been driven, underground for the moment, and there has been no suggestion that they would line up with the Government if it entered the war on the side of the Axis.

Among their other ambitions the Falangists aim at the ultimate possession of the entire Iberian Peninsula, and that brings Portugal into prominence. In July the anniversary of the outbreak of the civil war was celebrated in Spain, and in the speeches on the occasion Portugal received her full measure of praise for her help in making General Franco’s victory possible. The value of Portuguese friendship and the importance of close co-operation between the two countries were stressed. Portugal has no wish to be dragged into the war. On the Atlantic seaboard her position is safe, since Great Britain is well aware of her complete neutrality and has every intention of respecting it. From the east there is the danger of a Spain under bondage to Germany and Italy. Hitler has made a habit of overrunning small countries, and his evil practice may be a/temptation to the Falangists to invade Portugal. At first Spain’s position in regard to the war was that of >, a neutral. In July she moved from neutrality to non-belligerency. This was cpiickly followed by the occupation of Tangier with the Spanish land, sea, And air forces. The real reason for the Spanish claim to Tangier must bo considered in conjunction with the claim to Gibraltar. Spain’s object, in fact, is the control of the straits. occupation of Tangier is the first step towards that Spanish empire which is the dream of the Falangists.