Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-15

factories and public utilities depend to
n considerable extent on getting their
necessary supplies OF coal from the
Cardiff coal fields of England. But
the danger zones cncirclinE us have
intcrfcrcd with both these normal and
essential branches of our trade. cX-
portation and Importation.
although tho government is giving
tho most careful consideration to solv-
ing these questions. IL has never for
II moment regarded them as presenting
AN issue likely to involve Spain in war.
our aim is to mitigate the effects In
every possible way. We have reason
TO hope this can he accomplished"
''llavc the losses in Spanish ships
aud carGocs been Ercat?" was asked.
MERCHANT SHIPPING HAS
LOST ONLY SMALL. CRAFT
Comparatively slight lie replied.
our merchant shipping is not large.
and such losses as ii has suffered have
been in small craft, usually through
accident due to the risk OF passing
through tho dangerous zones lying
around the entente nations with whom
our ships seek to carly on their nor
NAL trade. There have been effective
representations. which we believe are
being met with a suitable regard for
our rights and our interests. not only
i'm the particular cases which have
arisen. hut also in ;mclioratinE the
genera. effect Of the damage which
the system indirectly iE!lirtS on Spair.'
The president was asked il the
United states in breaking relations
with Germany added TO the responsible
tiles Of spain as the foremost neutral
nation standing between the bclliEer-
cnts
1T has added very greatly to our re-
sponsihiiitieS." he replied. And yet it
is - role which Spain accepts with Il
certain degree OF satisfaction and
pride. in the belief that IL enables us
10 perform a useful service to both
sides and TO tho world at large. The
added responsibilities of diploma tic
nature are in themselves considerable.
for. now that the United states no
longer represents the entente nations
and tho central powers vs-a-vis OF
each other at the various capitals.
Spain has been charged very largely
with these important duties. We were
recently pleased to accept the represent
tation of the United states at Berlin on
and to take over Il number of the other
representations which the United States
had carried on up to that time"
"As such a channel of communication
between the bclliEercntS.' was suE-
gcsted. would it not fall to Spain to
transmit any proposition one of the
hclliGcrcnts. or group Of helliCcrcnts.
might wish to communicate TO another
hcllirnr,pt ar crronpn''
That, OF course. would be part OF
the duty Of acting as intermediary.
But in such action, Spain would be
simply the avenue of communication
a purely physical act of transmission
without necessitating the slightest mi
tiative or responsibility on her part
But does not the new position OF
Spain, as the foremost neutral. give
her the opportunity of initiating meas
ures of peace when tho opportune mo-
mcnt arrives" was asked
The president of the council held up
his hand in warning manner. He
had been smiling and most gracious up
TO this moment, but now the stcrnncsS
of his look indicated that the questioncr
,Enc rpttiur on G:,p Ground Then