The Reign in Spain
Sir:
As one who has lived in Spain and maintains a keen interest in its life and problems, I found your treatment of that troubled country judicious and accurate.
The Franco regime is an ugly, if somewhat mellowed, relic of the fascist era, and with its denial of basic civil liberties cannot really be acceptable to the new Western European community, founded on respect for human rights. The problem is, however, that ostracism may have the effect of solidifying popular support for Franco, as it did under the ill-fated U.N. resolution for diplomatic isolation in 1946.
By the way, was the issue with Don Juan on cover [June 22] banned in Spain?
JAMES VINCENT COMPTON Lecturer in History University of Maryland Overseas Program London
> Yes.—ED.
Sir:
I lived in Spain for five years and never once felt as if I was in a "police state." I am married to a Spaniard who shows no signs of being oppressed by his government. I strongly protest the treatment of General Franco by the American press in general and TIME in particular.
The U.S. allegedly has as its No. 1 goal the winning of the battle against Communism. Why then must it label the honest-to-goodness anti-Communist activities of a country and head of state as the shenanigans of a big bad dictator?
The U.S. should instead stand up and cheer that Communism is being vigorously dealt with in Spain.
(MRS.) CYNTHIA RUIZ-FORNELLS Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Sir:
The cover story on Franco Spain certainly points out another danger area to the U.S. Franco's impending demise gives rise to the notion of a creation of another Fidel Castro.
When the Spanish economy was tottering in 1953, and Franco with it, our "timely" assistance gave the Caudillo a few more years of despotic rule.
When will the State Department wake up and quit surrendering to the Pentagon, and stop using the policy of expediency to guide its foreign policy with regard to dictators of all stripes?
ROY GUTIERREZ Canton, Ohio
Sir:
You wind up the Henry Koerner doll and it splatters paint all over your cover.
GERRY TAPP Nashua, Iowa
Nelson's New Image
Sir:
TIME has dealt honestly and clearly with Nelson Rockefeller [June 15.] The Governor has put New York on a pay-as-you-go basis and is responsible with other people's money. I heartily endorse Mr. Rockefeller to run the nation's affairs.
I feel very strongly about wealthy people. Most of the really responsible millionaires have been brought up to know what money can do for people. They have also been brought up to work. I doubt if many so-called "whitecollar workers" put in half as many hours a day as does Mr. Rockefeller.
(MRS.) FRANCES M. WINCH Newfield, N.Y.
Sir:
I am enchanted by Mr. Rockefeller's ability to rise above the petty semantic dueling between liberal and conservative and to make his decisions on the basis of whether "It's right, it's neither liberal nor conservative, but it's the right thing to do."
What a pity that conservative Senator Goldwater does not use this formula. Think of the votes he could get.
FRANCIS H. ASPINWALL Skaneateles, N.Y.
Sir: