The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-22


 It is like the British lion, a re- hinder that Britannia rules the waves, maintains naval bases throughout the seven seas, and that the sun never sets on the Union Jack.
 The fact that that great Em- pire now must call upon the French fleet for aid is a terrific jolt. And if Gibraltar should fall, the effect upon Britain's attempt to build up a series of defensive alliances would be catastrophe. Smaller nations of Europe, los- ing confidence in a disintegrating empire, would grab for Hitler's coattails.
 Inside fact is that Gibraltar now is almost a pushover for German Italian-Spanish forces. Secret of its weakness is the big guns which the Germans have hidden in the hills behind Algeciras. Trained on Gibraltar, these have an all- important advantage. They can fire down. French and British naval guns in the harbor below must fire up.
 NON-NEUTRAL SPAIN
 Fundamental mistake made by the British was ever to let these guns be hidden in the hills. For years, British Policy was to keep Spain weak, friendly and neutral. This was the real secret of Gibraltar's strength. Its massive rock and concrete battlements were not nearly as important as a neutral Spain.
 Today, however, Spain is not neutral, and not only are Ger man guns hidden in the hills be- hind Algeciras, but German Italian and and Franco forces are massed near the Rock in Spain, with more such troops across the straits in Spanish Morocco.
 The story of how the British allowed themselves to be maneu- vered into such a weak position is the story of British policy dur ing the Spanish war.
 BRITISH STUPIDITY
 It goes back to the 1886 elec- tions which put the recent Re- publican government into power. These elections were received with misgivings by British investors, who owned the iron and mercury mines, the steel mills and much Of the industry of Spain. What they had to do with plotting the revo- lution is not yet clearly known, but 1t is known that General Francisco Franco, who now aids Hitler in menacing Gibraltar, was flown from the Canary Islands to Spanish Morocco in British air plane, operated by a British pilot, and paid for by interested Brith- iShers.
 After the revolution broke, the British in Gibraltar also
 played an important part in aiding Franco's Insurgents. When the Republican fleet, flee
 ing from Tangier, put in at Gibraltar, the British refused it fuel. Simultaneously, Italian pilots and Spanish aviators, trained in Italy, landed at Gibraltar from Italian ships, and crossed into Spanish terri tory. The gate between Spain and the Rock, closed at night, was opened especially for them.
 British sentiment in Gibraltar was overwhelmingly for Franco and his Italian allies. This was attributed partly to the fact that when war started, British hunters could no longer get into Spanish territory to exercise their fox hounds. So their hounds got fat. This was near tragedy until the Fascist governor, hearing of the British plight, permitted the hounds to come on Spanish soil for daily runs.
 After that British sentiment in "Gib" was more pro-Fascist than ever.
 CHAMBERLAIN POLITICS
 This sentiment, however. mere ly reflected that of the Chamber lain government in London. The prime minister himself gave his views to Harold Laski with the ut- most frankness.
 "If the Republican govern ment wins in Spain," he said, ''it will strengthen the Popular Front Government in France. And the combined effect of this will probably give us . Labor government i'm England" Part of Chamberlain's policy