Imperial Valley Press

CAPITAL TALKS
by
Peter
Edson

U.S. Army operations in North Africa, increased naval activity in the western Mediterranean, and German occupation of the entire southern boundary of France make Spain about the most important neutral on the map today.

There has been a lot of loose talk about Spain's position in the present war, and a good many false impressions have been allowed to develop without being contradicted. Much of this information stems from the Spanish Civil War. American sympathies get pretty excited about that, and on an extremely partisan basis. You were supposed to be either quite pro-Spanish Republican and quite anti-Franco, or you weren't. Religion and Communism got all mixed up in it and a lot of Americans even went to the trouble to join up and fight Franco. Popular sentiment doesn't forget that, and in the minds of some people this Spanish revolution still goes on.

Flames of hatred against Franco as a dictator and a Fascist have been kept burning by repeated charges that the Spanish government is acting as a front for the Germans and that Spanish embassies, particularly in South America, have been centers for Nazi espionage and the spreading of Nazi propaganda after the German diplomats were kicked out. The Spanish Falange, though repudiated as a political party in Spain, has generally been considered abroad as an agency of the Nazi through which the voices of Hitler and Goebbels in Berlin were made to come out of a Madrid mouthpiece.

In all this bonfire excitement, the U.S. Department of State has come in for some scorching criticism for appeasing Madrid, and burning demands have been made that this country break relations with the Franco government, close up the Spanish embassy in Washington and stop the spying activities supposed to be carried on through the 10 or a dozen Spanish consulates in U.S. territory.

NAZI TRAFFIC CHARGED

A further ringing of fire alarms by anti-Franco people has come from the fact that the United States has been shipping much-needed petroleum products and foodstuffs to Spain. Out of this has come the frequently heard statement that Franco has been trans-shipping all such supplies right through to Germany, or that the shipment of these U.S. goods to Spain has enabled the Spanish government to release equivalent supplies of their own to the Nazis.

All this anti-Spanish buildup, or teardown, whichever it is, may have a certain similarity to many of the things that were said about U.S. policy towards the Vichy government up to November 7. And while there are no official statements on U.S. relations with Spain today, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that the answers in the case of Madrid might be much the same as the answers in the case of Vichy.

Too many people, in short, may have been looking on the Spanish situation emotionally.

WANT SPAIN NEUTRAL

One of the most important points in all the dealings with Spain has been to fortify Spain's resolve and ability to remain neutral. That this is just as important to the United States as it is to Spain can be, implied from President Roosevelt's recent message to General Franco in which he said, "I believe the Spanish government and the Spanish people wish to maintain neutrality and to remain outside the war. Spain has nothing to fear from the United States."

The Spanish foreign office, tacitly accepting this announcement, has had it reissued in Spain and in the Spanish colonies.

On the other hand, Franco has a great deal to fear from Germany, and the Nazis have made heavy demands on the Spanish government. Thus far Franco has shown no willingness to let Germany march through his country in an attack on Gibraltar.

And when the Axis partners Hitler, Mussolini and Laval held their conference after the U.S. Army occupation of North Africa Franco was noticeably not among those present Perhaps that is significant.

WASHINGTON TRAILER

Average weekly wage in the auto industry, now converted to war production, is $52.91.

Home gardeners are assured there will be enough insecticides for all in 1943.

Makers of holiday candies must file their price schedules with OPA before making any sales.

37-mm anti-aircraft gun was made from one ton of copper in 20 minutes.

For every pound of coffee that came into the United States so only 34 did come.

Lead east central of he als may now be used for cakes.

Armed services will need one out of every four of the 2.4 million typewriters manufactured since 1935.

Hereafter, rubbing alcohol may be sold only by doctor's prescription.

Number of trailers used to house war workers will be increased to 30,000.

ON LEAVE

George Thomas, son of Mr and Mrs Saleen Thomas of Calexico, is enjoying a visit at home during leave from army duty at Camp Livingston, La. He entered the army six months ago.