France and General Franco
Though the Governments of Great Britain and the United States have accepted the invitation of the French Governmett. to discuss the regime in Spain, they have very wisely refrained from committing themselves even by inference to any particular course of action. This is a matter on which a little clear thinking is very much to be desired. It may be a good thing or a bad thing to interfere in another country's internal affairs and make trouble for its existing government ; but whether it is good or bad, it is good or bad every- where, however tempting it may be to interfere with a government which you happen to dislike while protesting against interference with a government you happen to like. The bearing of what Professor Laski and his admirers want done in Spain on what the Russians want to do in Bulgaria and Rumania and Persia deserves a little reflection. If the Franco regime is threatening the security of any Allied or other nations—of which there is no evidence at all—then some action, or representations, by U.N.O. when it takes shape may be justified. That there should be interference now by the major Allies because of what Franco is alleged to have done to help Hitler some years ago (a matter on which the evidence is not all one way) would be totally inadmissible. France is no doubt in a difficult position, for the Communists who form the largest element in the National Assembly are voluble against Franco. But General de Gaulle would be incurring a very heavy responsibility if he encouraged, or permitted, a rival Spanish Government to establish itself on French soil and take action which could only mean a new civil war in Spain.
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