Letters to the Editor

WITH reference to all bravado and gnashing of teeth by Spain over the so called Gibraltar problem I offer your readers a translation of the opening words of Article. X of the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713: “The Catholic King (Philip V of Spain) does hereby for himself, his heirs and successors yield to the Crown of Great Britain the full and entire propriety of the town and castle of Gibraltar together with Fort and Forts thereunto belonging; and he gives up the said propriety to be held and enjoyed absolutely with all manner of right forever without any exception or impediment whatsoever. ” The Spanish attitude is so laughable that it reminds me of one of Sam Goldwyn's classics, “A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on.”

John Rule
Sol de Mallorca