Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-24
Berlin Indicates
Spain Will Stay
Out Of War Now
Too Much to Expect
Franco to Fight,
Nuzis Feel
BY LOUIS p. LOCHNER,

BERLIN, Oct. 24-Informed cir
cleS in Berlin said tonight that Ger
many has a complete understanding
of the strategic and economic posi-
ton of Spain as the result of her
civil war and that it is too much
to expect Spain to join the war
against England-at least at present.
However, in reviewing the situa-
ton the authoritative news COM
mentary, Dienst aus Deutschland,
asserted it was no wonder IF Spain
regards the fight of the axis powers
against England as way to free
dom from her own historical en-
tanglement."
Authorized German sources de-
clined to comment directly on the re-
suits of Adolf Hitler's meeting yester-
day with Generalissimo Francisco
Franco of Spain, but said graphically
that events now occurring on the
continent added proof that Britain.
the father of the enlightenment idea, -
is now encircled.
The same sources recalled that
Germany had given Spain con
elusive proof" of her friendship for
the Franco movement in the Span
ish civil war and said there has
been a de facto comradeship in
arms between them.
Talks Concluded Last Night.
They said British opposition to
SPANS renaissance, which was
visible during the Spanish civil
war. continues today even to such
an extent that Spanish Reds are
to be found in the cfree FrenchD
forces of De Gaulle."
DNB, official German news
agency. earlier reported that the
conversations between Hitler and
Franco were concluded last night
1t had previously been believed the
talks might be continued today.
The news agency said that after
the Germans and Spanish delega-
tons dined with the Fuehrer in his
parlor car Hitler and Franco re-
viewed German honor battalion
Hitler then conducted the Span
ldl u " lllS SbCSldl u GILL
farewell. described as cordial, was
accompanied by playing Of the
Spanish national anthem.
Legal Expert on Hand.
DNB said Hitler's party included
Foreign Minister Joachim Won Rib
bentrop, Field Marshal Gen. Wal
Their Won Brauchitsch. commander in
chief of the German armies: Col
Gen. Wilhelm Keitel. chief of the
high command; Undersecretary of
State Friedrich Gaus. the foreign
office legal expert, and other digni-
tarieS.
Generally well-informed circles in
terpreted the meeting as final step
toward reorganization of Europe
aiming at elimination of the British
from the continent
They said Gaus never makes an
appearance unless some political
document Of the highest Importance
is to be drafted.
Gibraltar Questions Avoided.
These circles, while saying the
presence of the Foreign Office and
army officials lent additional weight
of Importance to the discussions be-
tween the Fuehrer and Franco,
avoided questions whether Spain
might be expected to take an active
hand in an attempt to GUST the
British from Gibraltar.
For a long time the German press
has been stressing "impossibility" of
England maintaining that strong
hold at the entrance to the Med
iterranean which, the papers said,
by indisputable natural right be-
longs to Spain"
Only one Berlin morning paper
printed the official communique
concerning the Hitler-Franco meet
ING