The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-02-05

Franco Believed
to be Convert Of
United Nations

United Nations
BY Charles p. Stewart
Central Press ColumnisD
President Roosevelt's and
Prime Minister Churchill's
Casablanca conference Is re.
ported to have converted eau
dillo Francisco Franco OF Spain
from the Axis over onto the
United Nations side OF the
fence.
"El Candillo." in Spanish,
means what Der Fuehrer'
means in German. or III Duce'
in Italian. That is, in good L.
s. A. talk-the boss, the NO.
1 guy.
III Caudillo Is the correct
designation for Francisco Fran,
co-as far as Spain is concern
ed.
A few years ago Francisco
took advantage OF a Spanish po-
litical crisis to attempt the
establishment Of dictatorship,
with himself, Of course, as
"caudillo".
Now. Spain has long been a
very democratic country. Even
its kings have had TO be re-
spectful OF majority Of public
opinion.
Frances would-be coup start
ed a civil war.
The Spanish rebel leader was
heavily out-numbered and GER.
tsinly would have lost but for
the strong and timely aid Senior
Frsnci received from Herr
Hitler and Signor Mussolini.
This pair were already substan-
TALLY established. Neither had
any particular troubles OF his
own on his hands at the time
and both recognized Frances
political philosophy as might
ly similar TO their own, making
him a suitable ally for total-
tarianism TO rely on in future
emergencies.
Accordingly. with their help,
FL Caudillo won out locally.
fThis aligned Franco, not ex-
actly as an ally but as
friend OF the Axis, deeply in
debt to It. He didn't contri-
butte formidably to the Axis
armed effort but he had a senti-
mental value.
Furthermore, Franco was in
a position to let Axis fighters,
from France. through Spain
and a ross Gibraltar, into North
Africa, with no clash what.
ever.
At least, Ell Caudillo in
charge. was a convenience TO
Adolf and Benito.
Franco also carries some
little weight in Latin America,
as the Latin peoples home
spokesman.
1t has been true in Argen-
tina, II nowhere else. 1t Isa
rather totslitarian republic. II
will be remembered that il was
pro-kaiser to the final minute
during the last war. just as
it's been pro-Axis right along
this time.
Such sentiments now have
virtually frazzled out.
In South America, Chile has
drifted from the Axis friend
ship. Argentine popular de-
mand is vehemently In the
same direction. The govern
ment obviously will not be able
TO disregard II long. That will
make this hemisphere solid.
Spain has been pro- United
Nations all along. with the ex-
ception OF Caudillo Franco, and
a few hirelings.
North Africa has turned de-
mocracy.ward.
+. ID. RS stop-oyer in Bra
I'll, following Casablanca, was
OF tremendous Importance. IL
was needed to tie up the Ameri-
cas-. Those boys are extremely
susceptible to such attentions.
They have been sending their
statesmen here and they ap-
preciate return visits.
Western Latin America has
an afiiliation for eastern main.
land Asia and the Philippines.
Eastern Latin America would
like coordination with north
western Africa.
Spain seems to be q kind OF
q erux OF the situation, perhaps
because Cssablanca is so re.
cent.
Why Caudillo Franco is now
prohibited Nations convert il
easy TO see.
He does not enjoy the pros.
pect OF being caught In an "un-
conditional surrender" Jam.
II probably would end him in
Spain, as well as elsewhere.
To say he Is a convert TO the
United Nations idea is rather