Spain, reborn under the leadership of General Francisco Franco, has formally participated in the Anti-Comintern Agreement of which Japan, Germany and Italy are original signatories. At a time when the political situation in Europe is in confusion, it is indeed significant that Spain has joined the front against the Comintern.
The Comintern, which failed utterly in its efforts to bolshevize Germany and Italy in previous years, laid the front line in Spain for the bolshevization of all of Europe. As a result, Spain was divided into two opposing factions, with bitter tragedies enacted as Spaniard fought Spaniard and brother fought brother.
Although realizing the sacrifices they would have to make and the tragedies they would have to suffer, the faction led by General Franco, surmounting numerous difficulties, finally occupied Barcelona early this year and succeeded in pacifying the Catalonian sector. The Communist régime immediately collapsed, and Madrid finally capitulated on March 28th. The Spanish civil war which began two and a half years ago was thus brought to a close, culminating in a decisive victory for General Franco.
The Powers in the Anti-Comintern front have early extended recognition to General Franco's Government and have been giving full support to that Government's work of subduing Communism.
The Japanese Government pays its profound respect to the brilliant achievement of the Spanish Government and at the same time earnestly hopes that the relations between Japan and Spain will, through increasing cooperation between them, grow in cordiality.