Feb. 15.
There has naturally been much speculation as to why it was necessary, for. General Franco to travel to Italy for a talk with Mussolini, and the story emanating from Vichy as' to what took place between the two when they met at Bordighera is inter~ esting, and probably true, Mussolini, it is reported, reminded General Franco of past favours which Italy had granted him," and asked him to repay the debt by providing aid for an attack on Gibraltar. Franco is reported to have replied that starving Spain could not risk a war against Britain, while Britain was helping her with food. Mussolini is said to have promised that Europe would feed Spain, But Franco remained adamant. The story has every probability in its favour. The crushing defeats, which have been fioted upon the Italians in Libya and Greece, have rendered Mussolini's position desperate, and he apparently hoped that by attacking Gibraltar he would be able to obtain some surcease from the enormous pressure which {s being brought to bear upon him. Obviously the feat of the British fleet based upon Gibraltar in bombarding Genoa increased his desire to make an attack upon the Rock, for if he could drive the British out of the western end of the Mediterranean he would be freed from some of the dangers which threaten Italian coastal towns.
Mussolini's promise that Europe would feed Spain failed to fool General Franco. The food situation in Europe is already deplor= able enough and to endeavour to feed Spain from dwindling resources could only hasten famine conditions in which Spain. herself would become involved. It was indeed the offer of a desperate man, and more clearly reveals his nakedness than did the necessity for holding such a meeting at all. General Franco is showing much wisdom in following the policy he has adopted. His country, torn and ravaged by years of civil war, its agriculture at present incapable of meeting the needs of the people, and the general dislocation of the economic situation which has not yet been completely remedied, makes him dependent upon outside aid, at. least for the time being. Entry into the war on the side of the Axis, would mean the immediate stoppage of the assistance which is being provided by the United States and Great Britain, and a reduction of his country emerging. fo the miseries from which it is slowly In other words Mussolini has nothing to offer Spain, while Great Britain and the United States have plenty. It was in the circumstances idle for Mussolini to appeal to General Franco's gratitude for past favours. Doubtless, had he been in a position to do so, he- would have sought to repay them, for he is known as a strictly honourable man.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.