INTERVENTION IN SPAIN

New Zealand Listener, Volume 16, Issue 395, 17 January 1947, Page 5

INTERVENTION IN SPAIN

Sir,-A student of history may be struck by a curious omission in the reports of the discussions on what the United Nations should do about Spain, Nothing is said about the parallels of the French and Russian Revolutions. When Britain was helping the White Russians after World War No. I. it was pointed out by many commentatore that

the armed hostility of Europe towards France in the early days of the Revolution united Frenchmen, and the opinion was expressed that intervention in Russia would have the same effect, The fear was justified by events. Russia has never forgotten what Britain did, but in framing a policy towards Spain she seems to forget, or to ignore, the effect of that British action on her own affairs. Does no British delegate point that out at U.N. meetings? Or are they too polite? The Spanish people are exceedingly proud. They are also exceedingly obstinate and self-satisfied. They are quite certain that their civilisation is the flower of all the world. We had experience of them in the Peninsular War, Their guerillas did a great job in harassing the French, but their regular army, if it could be dignified by such a title, was a wash-out, The leadership was grossly incompetent, and the discipline bad. It let Wellington down time and again. Pride was largely responsible. They couldn’t bear to take advice from a stranger. It was said of their officers that they would rather be beaten by the French. Spaniards are still proud. It seems to me as certain as can be that this pride will be wounded . by the United Nations’ handling of the case, and that numbers of Spaniards who have no great love for Franco will rally to him to some extent. The United Nations should either take more drastic action, which may mean war, or let Spain stew inthe cruelty and corruption of the present regime. The policy adopted

is a fumble.

A.

M.

(Wellington),