The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-03-02

Franco May be
Turning Away
From Axis
BY Charles p. Stewart
BY Charles p. Stewart


From Axis
BY Charles p. Stewart
FL Caudillo Francisco Franco Of
Spain seems to be on an exceed
ingly hot spot, He was pro-Axis
when the present war started,
partly. probably, because he is,
himself, Spanish version OF
fuehrer or duce. Furthermore, he
had a 'ivil wfr of his own 10 fight,
to get his caudilloship establish
ed. and Adolf Hitler and Benito
Mussolini helped him.
would not want TO give Franco
credit for any feeling of gratitude
toward them, but early in today's
conflict, he probably believed
they were going TO win. He af-
forded them some cOnveniences in
the western Mediterranean and
outspokenly sympathized with
them, too, which perhaps has. IN
their case, a bit OF immoral value
also.
OF late though. Franco appears
10 have been shying away from
the Axis.
That. likewise, Is understand
able obviously the Spanish die.
tator has changed his mind; his
more recent Judgment evidently Is
that the Axis is going TO be lick
ed This is all to the good for
he is a first-rate soldier and his
guess is not 10 he sneezed at.
Anyway. wien the Axis powers
began to hint at getting into
North Africa, by way of Gibraltar.
via Spain. Franco did not show
much enthusiasm.
Contrariwise. a few days ago,
dispatches into Washington
brought news OF conference be-
tween Spain and Portugal for a
solid neutrality compact between
them, including the entire Iberian
peninsula.
From considerable familiarity
with its people, am convinced
that Spain is democratic, with the
exception of its Franco govern
ment but, from the United Ma
tons standpoint, its government
has been a considerable worry
right along
Portugal Is additionally demo
cratic. Those folk do not have
to be stewed about. II is odd,
they are geographically so closely
associated, but it is true just the
same. have seen it from visits
in both countries, Spain is demo-
cratic, but Portugal Is more so.
Portugal is not of much conse-
quence, speaking of land-tighting
value-too small and too few. and
not enough natural resources to
wad a shot gun.
Portugal does, to be sure, boast
a nice long Atlantic Coast line
ideal for German planes and sub.
marines, headed our way.
The Germans, though, cannot
get into Portugal except from be-
hind, but through Spain. That
route would be corked up by any
thing other than a German-Span-
ish agreement. That Is, il would
be by anything but a German
stamping down upon Spain.
All the same, cables relate that
the Reich's troops are pouring
through German-occupied France
toward and across the Spanish
frontier. obviously bound to effect
an occupation of Spain as they
did in the Balkan nations.
Spain may not be so easy as
the Balkans. 1t is more compact
and stronger. There is strong
suggestion that Caudillo Franco
has anti-Axis cold feet at last
on his own account but, OF course,
for nobody else's. That, however,
is immaterial.
Latin America certainly is what
frets Franco. Spain is too tied up
with its offspring on this side Of
the Atlantic to be disregardful OF
II. This tie is not alone CONNER
cial. 1t Is also sentimental.
The United States got over be-
ing pro-British in due season,
during the War OF 1912, for inst
ance.
The Spanish countries, though,
are still hooked together on senti-
mental grounds.
They split on themselves, Portu-
gal and Italy.
Portugal predominates. because
Brazil (Portuguese) is the biggest
OF the bunch, bigger in territory
than all the rest OF the Latin
Americans combined, bigger in