Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-08-06
British Are Confident
Old Glib Can Stand
In Modern Warfare
The Rock Is Modernized
With Up-to-Dote
Weapons
By JOHN LLOYD,

Associated Press Foreign Correspondent.
GIBRALTAR. - Great Brita in,
working grimly in the face of recur-
rent war scares, has quietly put this
sentinel at the gateway to the Med
iterranean in shape for emergencies.
The question frequently has been
raised as to whether Gibraltar could
live up to its reputation for impreg-
inability against modern fighting
weapons. Its defenders wear an air
of assurance. Glib" they say, will
stand.
AS this story is written guns are
barking from the southern end OF
the fortress. 1t is royal artillery
practice "of a heavy nature" The
guns seem to lend emphasis to the
words heard among the townsmen-
1--WE are ready"
Off across the bay Spain basks in
the sunlight. Spain is the big ques-
ton mark. If Spain enters war
as an enemy country, Gibraltar ex-
poets stirring days and stern fight
ing If Spain stays neutral, Glib"
may be little touched by the war.
Preponderance of the Anglo-French
naval forces is expected to keep
enemy warships away. Airplanes
would have to come from a much
greater distance.
Quick Raids Possible.
1t must be realized that off behind
those mountains on the Spanish side
enemy airplanes could be based. Ris-
ing from there, or from Spanish
Morocco, only miles from the
southern extremity of the rock, they
could raid Gibraltar, giving only a
few minutes notice of their presence.
1t must be realized, also, that Glib"
Is within range of any heavy artillery
planted in those mountains and in
Morocco. Vice versa, of course, the
big guns of Gibraltar could land
shells in Spain and Africa.
YES" say the people here, "our
part in a war depends largely on
Spain" But, should Spain enter,
there is a deep-rooted general i'm
preston that she herself, in very
short order, would face problems
of grievous nature Her Moroccan
territory would be exposed to attack
by the strong French forces to the
south. Her coast from Gibraltar
east would be under the guns of the
Anglo-French navy. Spain, it is
hoped, will think long while be-
fore joining in the war.
The story of Gibraltar's prepared
ness is linked ultimately with the
arrival on November 9 last of a
picturesquely named British army
veteran-Gen. Sir Edmund Iron
side. This 58-year-old soldier, man
of simple and direct action, came
as governor and military command
er. He stayed exactly 228 days, and
in that time much happened.
Has Modern Artillery.
Great Britain had come to full
recognition of the war danger. Sir
Edmund was energetic. Now the
rock bristles with the most mod
ern and powerful artillery. Rapid
fire anti-aircraft guns command the
skies. Tucked away in the huge
stone mountains vitals are anmu-
milton, water and food sufficient
to sustain long siege.
Sir Edmund left on June 26 to
become inspector general of all
Britain's overseas forces. He is
succeeded here by 1t. Gen. Sir Give
Liddell, another of Britain's famous
soldiers.
One big feature of Ironside's pro-
gram-that of passive defense for
the civilian population-remains to
be completed under Liddell.
Work on perhaps the most re-
markable system of bomb shelters
in the world is proceeding at a
forced pace under the direction of
w. H Pearce (M. I. c. E., F. S. -,
Gibraltar city engineer, and should
be finished in a matter of months.
There is population of 10000
to protect and it must be remem-
bered that raids may occur with only
a few minutes warning.
Great Britain took possession of
Gibraltar in 17O4 In 1779 the Span
iards, after three unsuccessful at
tempts to recover the mountain,
launched what is known as "the
great SIEGE" which lasted three
years and seven months. Seven
thousand defenders, with less than
100 cannon, held the rock against a
combined Franco-Spanish force OF
some go warshlps and 10000 troops,
boasting 400 pieces of heavy artll-
lery, in the principal attack
Hence, Gibraltar's fame for i'm
pregnability.
Now, as in the past, it is felt that
comparatively small garrison could
hold off large forces of attackers.