The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-19

In The g Of the latter's victory
spain might look forward to the re-
covery Of Gibraltar from the English
and OF Morocco from the French. al
ways provided, OF course. that her
neutrality had remained OF a benevo-
lent and sympathetic character toward
the Kaiser. and Of a strictly impair
tial. that Is to Sy unfriendly, nature
toward the Allies.
Under the Premiership Of Count
Romanones the neutrality of the
Spanish Government will be Of a
wholly different character. It nay
safely be taken for granted that the
facilities and even encouragement ac-
corded by the authorities to pro-
Teuton propaganda throughout the
Peninsula will cease, that a rigid con-
troll will be exercised over the wire
less activities Of the Germans In
Spain. that the Kaiser's submarines
will no longer be able to use Spanish
seaports as bases Of supply and that
the vexatious restrictions upon Span
ish exports to France and to her al
lies will become a thing Of the past.
Not long Z in an interview ac-
corded to the Paris Journal Count
Romanones remarked. ITO speak
frankly, Jul interests as we'll as our
dignity call upon us to resist German
pressure and to maintain a friendly
neutrality toward the Allies. Ger
many's cynical bid for public opinion
should not be allowed to go un-
answered. That answer Is not to
abandon u strict neutrality. but to
rise up against the campaign Of in.
timidation n lies.
Long before the wal Germany or
ganized q persistent propaganda
here lin Spain1 which sought inces-
sanity to create prejudice against
France and England. We are not ac-
customed to such manauvres. Many
good people were caught mapping and
should now more than yer be put
on their guard. For the German zeal.
manifested dlscreetiy before the war,
has during the past year become OF an
inso.cnt. annoying and even vulgar
character.
PRIESTS. women and the army were
the chief objects of his propaganda.
Ii was sought to make the clergy be-
lieve h the triumph Of the Allies
would he that of atheism. hat reliS-
ion was threatened by every French
success, &c. Fine defenders. truly. OF
our faith. There was something sad
as we'll as comical in the display Of
! ardent Catholicity made by the Luz
theran Empire.
1.-THE army also has been bewiidered
and dazz.ed by the German reports
OF victories every hour and Of more
prisoners taken than there were sol
diers. our army is a very fine and
courageous n Restive in inaction.
II has a natural tendency I admire
victory.
Alongside OF these artful sugges
tons the Germans have had occurs
to brides and to generous offers OF
what they did not possess. They Of
fered us Gibraltar ana Morocco. Why
not also Portugal? II is to be said to
IL credit that these excessive offers
have repealed rather than attracted
Spanish sympathy"
In a speech delivered last spring
at La Palma Count Romanonse de-
clared: "Silence at the present is a
crime. For IL we wait until the mo-
ment Of victory to show our sympathy
for the victor II Is probable that we
shall be too late. Without violating
our neutrality. We must say who
among the bclligerents we consider
our friends"
But the new Premier does not ia
vor any active intervention by Spain
in the conflict. He fully appreciates
the advantageous position enjoyed by
Spain, as the only first class Power
OF Europe-the only Power Of any i'm
portance-that has remained neutral.
He is determined to maintain that
neutrality, prepared Eat the supreme
hour Of peace to show Energy and
foresight in directing our interna-
tional policy along new paths, since
We cannot continue to remain iso-
lated"
Count Romanones. like his elder
brother, the Duke Of Tovar. belongs
to the ancient Grandezza, that Ia to
say. to one Of the great houses Of the
old nobility Of Spain. and enjoys the
close and intimate friendship OF his
sovereign, with whom he has much in
common, namely. his fondness for
sports Of all kinds, his progressive
views where the social economy OF
the people is concerned, and even In
politics. For Alfonso leans altogether
toward Liberalism. and In spite Of the
impartiality which 10 required OF the
Crown, by both the letter and the
spirit Of the Constitution. has always
shown, from his boyhood. a preference
for those principles Of Liberalism
which he first acquired from old
Senior Sagasta, the great Liberal
statesman and leader. who may be
said to have been his political mentor
Count Romanones Is a man OF very
striking appearance and manner. His
face IL thin. but its lines Of character
are stronghold and strong. The fea-
lures are aquiline. and have something
Of the Spanish saturninity about them
mingled with Italian fierceness. His
gaze is percing, discomforting to ner.
vous strangers. But HIS face light.
ems up altogether and becomes almost
attractive when its sternness In reposo
gives way to a smile. The latter II
usually kindly.
He limps in walking, the result OF an
accident in his boyhood. when he sus.
tanned severe injuries through the
spill OF a four in hand driven by his
father. The Premier himself Is one
Of the finest four In hand whips in
Spain. and maintains the superb rae.
ing stud inherited from his Gather, the
late Marquis OF Villamajor. He Is pas
sionately fond OF horses and Of racing
and representatives of his stables are