THE SPANISH DILEMMA
Sta,—From your review of Professor Allison Peers' The Spanish Dilemma he seems to omit one reason which I have thought a very important one as to why Spain has not actually joined up with the Axis Powers. Every October the Spaniards observe with much enthusiasm " The Feast of the Race," which is meant to cement more closely the ties which unite Spain with the various South American States which were founded by her and still speak the same language. It not only flatters the pride of a Spain which has lost so much and needs a little flattery, but it contributes very much to her material welfare. When I lived in Barcelona one could not help noticing how much of the wealth of that fine city was due to its large trade with South America.
These South American States have today fallen into line with Uncle Sam in their joint determination to resist any possible aggres- sion from the Axis Powers. For Spain therefore to take the other side would mean that she would definitely lose her hegemony among these States with all that it means to her, while the blockade would cut off that trade with them she so sorely needs to replenish her empty coffers. The annoyance the Spanish Press showed at Uruguay's setting aside certain air-bases for use by Pan-American forces in certain emergencies, and their appeal to her not to break away from this racial union at the instigation of any propaganda, showed pretty well how the wind was blowing and so leads us on to believe that this is an important factor in her foreign policy.—Yours, &c.,
Connaught Club, Seymour Street, W. C. H. D. GRIMES (REV.)
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