A NEW SPAIN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 216, 12 August 1937, Page 9

A NEW SPAIN.

IF FRANCO WINS.

According to General Franco, rebel leader in the Spanish conflict, the system of government in the new Spain, if he emerges from the war completely triumphant, will be based “on Portuguese or Italian models,” although Spain’s historical institutions will be preserved, “so far as they may contribute towards its nationality and unity.” Major F. Yeats-Brown, in an article in the London Observer some time ago, gave an interesting impressionistic sketch of the rebel leader, and related an interview with him which, in the light of subsequent rebel advances, invests with interest the story of some of the things he has in mind when the conflict is over, when he hopes to be in a position to set out on what he terms the great task of building the new Spain. . Major Yeats-Brown found the stairway leading to General I ranco’s headquarters closely guarded by two Moors, “in white cloaks of ceremony, and tall and impassive, with white-gloved hands.” Franco’s desk lie found strewn with papers. Maps of the war fronts covered a long deal table. Major YeatsBrown was surprised that Franco could make time to see him. This he regarded as an earnest of his desire “to lie on good terms with public opinion in Great Britain.” . . ' . Only a week previously, Major leatsBrown had seen Franco at close quarters at the Italian Ambassador’s reception in Salamanca. There he was all smiles and sparkling with vivacity. It was a different Franco that he met later. “Now he was grave, decisive, reckoning the minutes. I3ut, although feeling the burden of his task he was then ‘governing’ more than half of Spain, as well as being in command of three armies—his brown eyes had not lost their glitter, nor his bearing that buoyancy and grace -which is characteristic of the true Spaniard.” Franco’s quiet manner, states Major Yeats-Brown, masked great reserves of power. The meeting took place at Salamanca. There, the major searched, but in vain, for a good photograph of Franco, so that he might ask him to sign it. He found the shops full of pictures of Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini, but Franco’s photograph appeared chiefly on picture postcards, ■smiling. He looked in vain for a picture of Franco in action.

“UNMITIGATED CURSE.” Major Yeats-Brown and Franco spoke in French at their inte/riew. The conversation turned to the future of Spain. “Of course,” Franco remarked, “you will understand that this is no tune to talk of Utopias. However, one thing I can tell you definitely: “We shall not return to the Parliamentary system. It may bq good for other countries, but lor us it has been an unmitigated curse, opening the door to class hatred and foreign intrigue. “Our system will be based on Portuguese and Italian models, although we shall preserve our historic institutions so far as they may contribute. towards our nationality and unity.” Franco went on to say that the new regime would not he of a particularly military character. “Those of us,” lie proceeded, “who have lived" in contact with the working classes, and have slept with soldiers on the hard ground, know the needs of the people better than the old-fashioned politicians do.” No parasites will bo tolerated in the new Spain. “Every Spaniard,” observed Franco, “will have to work according to his capacity . . . We are fighting for a State which will he like one great family, without overlords or serfs, plutocrats or proletarians, and in which all the elements that go to make the national wealth will be presented.” Franco also remarked that he would have been able, long ago, to set about the task of building the new'Spain if it had not been for the 36,000 foreigners in the International Brigade at Madrid.

Major Yeats-Brown, obviously sympathetic with Franco’s cause, states that he found the’ rebel leader, or, as lie preferred to describe him, the Generalissimo of the Nationalist armies in Spain, more than merely magnetic and agreeable, but a man of no common mould.