El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-04-19
SPhIN'S ROLE
DIFFICULT ONE
Being Neutral With All the
Rest of World at War
Taxes Official Madrid.

Madrid, Spain, April 19.-Now that
Spain has taken the center OF the stage
as the foremost neutral, following the
break OF relations between the United
States and Germany she is finding that
the role OF the chief neutral is not al
together happy one. There is added
honor and prestige as the intermediary
between all the various capitals. but
here a. Madrid the representatives Of
all these capitals are ranged in so
many hostile camps. with their own
champions and followers, their own
press and shades Of news and gossip.
their own policies, intrigues and wire
pulling, that the government has found
il convenient and necessary TO draw
q sharp line between these different
groups with strict adherence TO neu-
Jrality.
Famous for Etiquette.
The Spanish capital is famous for the
elegance OF its official receptions with
a strict adherence TO precedent and ETH
senaatiYes mingling together. Until
recently. the British ambassador was
the dean Of these foreign representa-
tives and, by chance, the wife of the
German ambassador was doyenne OF
the wives OF ambassadors. This Great
ed something Of a strain when the va
rious groups assembled and greeted
each other in the strict order Of their
rank.
But when a new British ambassador
arrived recently. the German ambas
sadOr succeeded as dean Of the foreign
representatives, and his wife contin-
Ued as doyenne. As such the German
group was distinctly at the front, not
only in precedence, but in virtually di-
recting all the intercourse Of grand
affairs Even IN the ordinary official
representative Of the two hostile
groups were brought together In such
way that separate audience rooms had
to be hastily found in order to avoid
by the establishment OF different hours
and days for all the groups
Neutrality Makes Changes
Even the national and religious Yes
tivals are undergoing change because
OF neutrality. The kings birthday cell
ebration was given up this year. Us
ually il is attended by a grand recep-
ton Of all the foreign represent
at the royal palace. with gala perfOr-
manCes and popular demonstrations
and bull fights. But all this was omit
ted this year as IL was clear all the
foreign representatives could not be
brought together for one common rs
Joicing.
Forgot About War.
The need Tor this strict observance
was made plain by several incidents
Before the new rules came into force
there was a reception at which all the
am bassadorS were assembled This
brought together Prince Y. the ambas-
sador OF one OF the central powers and
Lord Y, the ambassador OF an entente
power. There was a moments hesita-
ton. and then the entente ambassador.
10 relieve the strain, smilingly extend
ed his hand. But Prince y, instead OF
taking the hand. carried his own hand
behind his back Whereupon the en-
tente ambassador. not TO be embar-
raised by the affTOnt. increased his
smile into a hearty laugh, and re-
"oh. had quite forgotten we were
at war"
Now Third EIemeat.
There have been only two elements
to keep apart III TO the rupture Of re-
latious between the United States and
Germany. but this introduced a third
element of countries which had broken
relations but not gone TO war This
break Of relations kept the ambassa-
doris apart as much as the actual eE-
istence OF war. The need for separate
audiences was made evident on the
night word was received here recently
that the United States had broken re-
latious with Germany and given Count
Bernstorff mis- passports On that night
the American and the German am
bassadors here had appointments al
the same hour and place with the pres
ideut of the council There was 4 hur-
ried Encouragement of hours when