Evening star., 1940-11-14
Spain Is Reported
Seeking 100 Million
Loan From u. ).
Officials Delay Action
Pending Study Of PIons
To Help Feed Nation
BY LLOYD LEHRBAS,
Associated Press Staff Writer.

A Spanish request to the United
States for loan of $1O0, 0,000. 900 wa!
reported today in informed diplo.
matte quarters.
No decision on the loan request
has yet been reached, it was stated
and ultimate action was expected tc
await pending events in the Euro
pean war and Qualification of SPANS
position in the conflict.
Some administration officials, 1t
was understood, look askance at the
Spanish request for financial as
sistance in view of the bitter at
tacks made in the government-con-
trolled Spanish press against the
United States, particularly in regard
to this country's relations with other
American republics, and the Philip
pines, once Spanish colony.
The 100000 900 loan is desired by
Gen. Francisco Frances govern
ment. 1t was said, to feed an re-
habilitate a hungry and impover-
ished Spain, which has been un-
able to achieve recovery from its
long and destructive civil war.
Officials Nom -committal.
American officials had no COM
ment on the Spanish governments
reported request for financial aid.
Sumner Welles, Acting Secretary
Of without mentioning the
loan question-disclosed, however,
that ways and means of assisting
Spain were under consideration by
American officials.
None Of the proposed plans to aid
Spain have crystalized, Mr.. Welles
said, and no final decision had been
made. He added-signifcantly, in
the view Of diplomatic circles-that
Spain's economic problems appeared
to be a question for the American
Red Cross.
The Spanish government has &C
knowledged SpainS serious food
shortage by assuming governmental
control over production, sales and
exports, and by strictly rationing
basic foodstuffs.
Serious Food Shortage Found.
Even under severe rationing, there
is a serious shortage in many daily
necessities. When passed through
Spain recently I found supplies of
many foodstuffs exhausted, many
other articles extremely scarce, and
all prices excessive.
No meat was on sale in Madrid,
the capital, and I was told foreigners
and wealthy Spaniards. able to
afford the luxury, secured meat only
by purchases from "bootleggers" who
smuggle in small supplies. Potatoes,
eggs and chickens also were boot
legged"
All travellers through Spain report
men. women and children begging
for food in every city.
From my observations it appeared
Spain's condition was even more
serious than France, which observers
agree faced winter of extreme
privation, if not actual starvation.
Peril for Nazi Venture.
Press dispatches, permitted to pass
the Madrid censor, report that
Spain's economic, and food supply
condition is so serious any military
adventure might be disastrous.
Even if Spain should permit transit
OF German troops to attack British
Gibraltar, observers believe the Ger
mans would have to carry their own
food and supplies, for it would be
impossible to live off the country
as Nazi forces did in Poland, France
and other invaded countries.
SPANS f1irtations with the axis
powers, some believe, continue chiefly
because some Spanish officials con-
slider the only quick remedy for
SPANS plight is successful invasion
of Frances African colonies with
their supplies of foodstuffs and raw
materials.