Evening star., 1945-08-25
Frances Position

Coupled with similar sentiments
expressed few days ago by British
Foreign Secretary Bevin, President
Truman'S statement that we do not
like the present Spanish government
serves to intensity the diplomatic
offensive launched early this month
when Britain, Russia and the United
States formally declared at Potsdam
that the Franco regime was a crea-
ture of the Axis and therefore not
qualified for membership in the
United Nations.
It will be interesting to see how
the Spanish dictator responds to
this latest blow. When the Potsdam
declaration was issued, he put out a
statement complaining that the Big
Three were being arbitrary and un-
just" but it must be clear to him
now, In view of the Bevin and Tru-
man remarks. that this protest was
productive of precisely nothing. Far
from softening their attitude toward
him, Britain and the United States
have. If anything. hardened it, and
Russia's position is, of course, at
least equally unfriendly.
The Presidents statement seems
particularly significant because it is
not usual for the head OF a state to
say such things Of the head of an
other state with whom there has
been no break in diplomatic rela-
lions. Up to now the matter has not
gone beyond the realm of words, but
Mr.. Truman's direct and blunt ex-
preston suggests the possibility that
the next step may be the recall of
our ambassador or sanctions of some
sort. Spain is in an extremely shaky
economic position. If the Big Three
should decide to restrict trade with
1t, the effect on the Franco regime
could well be fatal.
Even without sanctions or a break
IN relations, the political pressures
created by his growing diplomatic
Isolation must be making things
more and more difficult for the
Spanish dictator. Presumably, Pres
loent Truman is one with Mr.. Bevin
IN not wanting to do anything likely
to precipitate civil war, but it seems
safe to assume that their objective
Is to make things so embarrassing
and uncomfortable for Franco that
his position will become untenable
and lead to his resignation and the
inauguration of a new government
through peaceful means.
1t is worth noting, in this connec-
ton, that reliable observers in Spain
apparently are agreed that the
majority OF the Spanish people are
opposed to Franco, however much
they may differ on an alternative.
1t is worth noting, too, that in
Mexico City members of the pre-
Franco Spanish parliament and pre-
Franco Spanish Republican leaders
have just formed what is, in effect,
Spanish government in exile.
Moreover, informed quarters in Ma
drid have reported that a military
group is organizing to request"
Franco to quit and make way for a
national referendum on restoration
OF the monarchy under Prince Juan.
Everything considered, Francois
chances for long stay in power do
not seem very bright. A few more
diplomatic moves by the Big Three,
accompanied possibly by concrete
action, may be enough to topple him.
Whether this can be accomplished
without civil strife, whether Span
iards as a whole can unite on a
successor acceptable to all parties
Is problematical. In any event, how
ever change in regimes is neces-
sary If Spain is to belong to the
United Nations.