Evening star., 1949-11-20

people to rebel and to compel .
change of government by violence.
The sea which surrounds Spain
and the Pyrenees Mountains
which separate Spain from the
rest of Western Europe have pre-
vented democratic ideals from
taking any foothold either in this
country or in Portugal.
Political Ideals Remote
Some Spaniards, who have no
connection with politics, say the
downfall of the monarchy-which
marked the beginning OF SPANS
misfortunes-was the result Of
free elections which brought to
power a republican type of gov
.ernment for which the backward
Spanish people were not yet
ready. However fallacious such
reasoning may be, the fact is that
under present world conditions
we have no time to argue what is
best for the Spanish people. The
whole question is whether Eu-
rope will be able to organize It's
defense against the East-by leav.
ing out-because Of theological
considerations-such a military
potential as Spain, country OF
some 100000 men and a stra-
tegic piece of real estate" which.
If it fell into the hands Of our
enemies, would compel us to
abandon plans to use Africa IN
another world war.
There has been somewhat OF .
change in the minds OF Gen.
Francois opponents since the win
ter of 1947 when this reporter saw
them in Madrid. They are still
opposed to him and would like to
see him gone. But they admit that
under the pressure of present in
ternational events, when show
down between the East and West
appears inevitable, forcible ejec-
ton of El Caudillo would be detri-
mental not only to Spain but also
to the countries which want to
preserve Western civilization.
Portugal Is Example
Any social or political disturb
ance these days would play into
the hands of the U. s. S. r. and
would weaken rather than
strengthen the already thin fabric
of the Western defense. These
avowed but inactive opponents OF
Gen. Franco hold that we can't
be sincere in our reasons for re-
fusing to have any dealings with
the Spanish dictator and point to
Portugal, which is no way different
from Spain and whom we are
helping in every possible way.
The strategic importance Of
Portugal is minute. The day Spain
falls, Portugal cannot maintain it
self. When this reporter mem
toned that Dictator Salazar has
Just held another election while
Gen. Franco stubbornly refuses to
do so, the reply was that little
democracy enters into Portuguese
elections. There was really free
election in that country a few
years ago when Socialists and other
opponents of Salazar voted openly.
This permitted the Portuguese
dictator to pick up his real enemies
and make sure of them" In the
election which was held recently
only the friends of the regime cast
their ballots.
The same opponents of Gen.
Franco ask whether we really
consider Turkey genuine democ-
racy on the American or British
pattern. They are delighted that
the Eastern approaches Of the
Mediterranean are safeguarded
by country like Turkey, which,
thanks to our timely assistance.
can now be depended on to op-
pose successfully Russian on
slaught.
But what run : of = the mine
Spaniards do not understand Is
our attitude toward Marshal Tito,
who, on his own admission, is a
dictator and a pure Communist
to boot. Why. it is asked of all
Americans who come to Spain, is
the United States willing to help
this man with all means at its
disposal even to the extent OF
going to war in the event he is
attacked by the U. S. S. R. when
until very recently he has been
killing Americans? Surely Tito
has never held democratic elec-
tions; there is no more freedom
of religion In Yugoslavia than
there is In any country behind the
iron curtain. Priests are thrown
into Jail and many have been
murdered.
What About Spain?
The Yugoslav Parliament is as
representative of the Yugoslav
people as that In Moscow or War
saw. Yet, America is extending q
helping hand to this man. When
the answer is given that in inter-
national politics expediency fire.
quently is necessary and that the
strategic situation in the Adriatio
necessitates help to Tito 50 long
as he is opposed to Moscow. the,
Spaniards ask: what about
Spain? What will happen In tho
event Of war and Russian para
chutists invade the Iberian Penin-
sula? Do you think you can save
Western civilization better by help
ing an avowed Communist who
has betrayed you once already
while refusing the slightest aid to
an anti-C Communist country which
is eager to join you in common
defense?"
And when the hard pressed
American replies. repeating un-