Untimely Visit
ffiElE decision of President Eisenhower to I tarnish both himself and his visit to Asia and Europe by fraternising with General Franco is unfortunate. Mr. Dulles made the same mistake four years ago, but President Eisenhower is the first head of a great Power to go to Madrid in the twenty years of Franco's dictatorship, and his visit will give the Caudillo a certain spurious air of respectability at a time when the opposition is becoming increasingly strong. The only way the President could justify this deplorable deci- sion would be by inviting the leaders of the opposition mentioned in last week's Spectator article for a talk at the American Embassy. The President's belief in freedom and democracy makes such a meeting desirable—indeed, impera- tive; and for him to learn about the real posi- tion in Spain would be useful, if embarrassing. Even without. a Presidential invitation the oppo- sition leaders will prestimably ask for an inter- view. The American Ambassador's reasons why it would he impossible for Mr. Eisenhower to see them should. when published to the world,
make entertaining reading. • •
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