General Franco Becomes D:ffiCult
Neither the recent speech of General Valino, Spanish High Commissioner in Morocco, nor the antics of students in front of the British Embassy in Madrid are likely to improve relations between Spain and the Western Powers. It is true that, by deposing the Sultan of Morocco without prior-con- sultation with the Spanish Government, France has given General Franco some just cause for complaint : the French have mishandled the Moroccan situation, and it was only to be expected that Spain.would seize the opportunity of posing as the friend of Islam. (Spanish policy has for some time been directed towards the establishment of specially close relations with the Arab states.) But to encourage the chiefs in the Spanish zone to refuse recognition of the new Sultan is a blow at the foundations of the present regime in Morocco, and, though General Franco's Government may regard itself as a possible reversionary heir of the French heritage, a high tide of Moroccan nationalism would sweep Spain out of North Africa along with France. As for the trouble over Gibraltar, the Spanish Government must have been perfectly well aware of the effect that a protest about the Queen's visit would have on relations with Britain. Moreover, the move was evidently arranged to coincide with the attack on French policy in Morocco. If the Caudillo, on the strength of his loan of bases to the United States, was counting on American support for his ambitions, he will be disappointed. But it is unfortunate that, at a moment when closer co-operation between Spain and NATO seemed possible, the chance should be missed through arrogant claims which the Spanish Govern- ment is in no position to make good.
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