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 interesting, and probably true. Mussolini, it is reported, reminded General Franco of past favours which Italy had granted him, and asked. him td 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 inflicted 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 is 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 deplorable 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 to the miseries from which it is slowly emerging.
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. But even he has been obliged to bow to the force of circumstances, which impose upon him the necessity of keeping his country out of the war, and building up its damaged fortunes. Mussolini is, therefore, thrown back upon his old friend Hitler. The latter has been somewhat slow in coming to his assistance, obviously for the purpose of increasing its value when he does deign to give it. When he does he will have placed Mussolini under firmer bonds than he has done up to the present, but it is doubtful whether even Hitler can contribute anything towards restoring the fallen fortunes of Italy on the African. continent.
It would be unwise, even in the light of Mussolini's failure with General Franco, to believe that Italy is on the verge of collapse. It may be that she will never collapse until Britain and her Allies have fought this war to a successful conclusion, for the simple reason that Hitler will not permit it. Rather than allow such a thing he may confidently be expected to invade Italy, and reduce it to another appanage of the Reich. It is going to be that anyhow should Hitler gain the day. It may come earlier should Mussolini seek to withdraw from the war upon which he so light-heartedly embarked. With his "empire" crumbling fast before his eyes, with the rapidly approaching bankruptcy of his hungry nation, with the prospect of complete defeat before him. Mussqlini turned to the last country which might have been able to help him. He has failed, and the British still control the Mediterranean.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.