TRIUMPH FOR FRANCO

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5278, 13 December 1946, Page 5

TRIUMPH FOR FRANCO

Spanish Protests Against United Nations LONDON, December 12. The clamorous outburst of hosts of Spaniards tc the United Nations is hailed as a tfiumph for Franco, says the Times' Madrid correspondent, and the papers are filled with glowing reports of patriotic demonstrations all over the country. - - Most Spaniards, the correspondent says, derived satisfaction — like their leader to judge by his expression in phctographs — from a display of solidarity which again has been achieved at the instigation of the Government under tlireat of interference from abroad. The United Nations provided the pretext for this so-called vote of confidence and it has been again abundantly proved that the foreign bogey strengthened Franco's whip hand. Many Monarchists and Liberals joined in a protest at the demonstration because, says the correspondent, they resent the crass att'empt of foreigners to force an issue which they hope to bring about themselves — when the time is ripe. He adds that both sides want Spain for the Spaniards, and it is mainly fcr this reason that Dr. Giral's open courting of foreign aid is disliked. Appropriate outside pressure and support is desired by democratic Spaniards in their own interests, but they know the key to. the Spanish problem is not a bludgeon, irresponsibly. wielded in an international debate. Only time or force of arms can do away with total dictatorship.