Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18
SPAIN AND SPANISH AFFAIRS

ment could present their views for the
Information OF the sovereign.
The government note continues thus:
The president OF the council believes
the moment arrived when the government
should decide the propagation of the cham
bers. but 1t would not do so before having
obtained the approval Of certain meas
ures OF our international character. In
the matter OF the question OF confidence
Count Romanones desired to make clear
to the sovereign the parliamentary po-
sition of the cabinet rendered difficult
by the attacks Of extremists and Ger
manophiles and obtain from the king
at the same time as the appreciation OF
his interior and international policy the
confirmation of his powers. The king
the chambers and the chiefs of polIti-
cal parties. who have counseled the
maintenance of the Romanones cabi-
net. and the king thereupon confirmed
his full and entire confidence in the
liberal cabinet. which would remain In
power without modification.
Count Romanones. having counseled
that the projected manifestations of his
partisans in his honor might he can
celed. arranged an accord with Ministers
Dato and Bugallal on questions OF an
economical character; then taking up
the international questions the presi-
dent submitted the collective resigna-
ton of the cabinet.
In the course of the consultations
note that the sovereign called NJ.
Maura. always consulted in grave situ-
atoms also NJ. Dato. chief OF the liberal
conservative party. who presided the
were of the opinion that the liberal
cabinet should remain in power in or
der to realize its work of national re-
constitution
correspondent at Madrid on the subject
of Spain's response to the German note,
said:
Our reply to Germany was solely in
spfred by the particular situation and
the special interests of Spain. 1t was
our absolute duty, duty which falls
upon all governments to protect the
life and property of our citizens against
Spouse in a spirit OF conciliation and in
the full confidence that the German
government would be led to act toward
Spain with the came friendly senti-
ments. but in giving proof of conciliatory
sentiments we have sought to render per-
fectly clear the caImness and firmness
of our position. the result of long and
to do our duty. as painful as it might be.
You may say that our reply to Ger
many has been inspired by the same
sen m n t and
SPANS Absolute principles as our
reply to the peace
Anuepenoehce. sugge o ms OF
President Wilson The conduct OF
Spain since the commencement Of the war
shows. and continues to show. the most
absolute Independence; it is not af-
fected by any exterior suggestion, it is
simply based on the rights Of its citi-
zens and the duties of it's government.
t1.n
neutrality of Spain does not diminish
in seeing arrive the hour when she may
be of some use to the cause of hui
manity."
The humanitarian role Of King AL
fonso XIII has been from the incep-
ton of the war the absorbing principle
of the sovereign. 1t may be said that
in that principle Alfonso hopes that he
may be chosen the dominant power in
the final peace congress. assuming that
this congress will mark time after the
congresses of Berlin. Vienna and West
phalia. The lessons OF these congress-
es however have manifested their in
sufficiencies. and 1T is extremely doubt
full that peace may be imposed other
than by the power OF the commanders
of the armies in the field. 1t can do no
harm to leave Alfonso absorbed by his
humanitarian role.
The humanity of Spain's sympathetic
by his solicitude for prisoners OF war
whose sufferings during this war have
been particularly cruel. A recent dis
patch announces that delegations from
all the municipalities of Spain were re-
ceived by Alfonso under the leadership
of the mayor OF Madrid bearing the
sgrand cross of Benefcencia." which
the delegates prayed him to accept as
a recompense OF his humanitarian work
in favor of war prisoners. The king
responded in the name of Spain:
Spain will figure gloriously in CO.
temporary history. Our country rep
resents in the European conflict the hu-
ma unitarian ideal. 1t is because of this
have always acted in order to affirm
this sentiment of humanity of my peo-
pie But it is not l who should wear
Beneficencia." 1t is Spain entire who
should wear them on her glorious nag
will place these insignias of that
cross on the standard of the regiment
which is named for me. They will re-
main thus attached in your souvenirs
the names: Spain and Alfonso Kill
II have besides" added the king. "the
firm conviction that the destiny Of my
country. which was
Hope for Future formerly so grand.
will be so again in
ureatnesS. the near future. 1t
ia my desire that each one of you in
your own sphere may guard the Same
confidence. Let us do one duty all
of us and We shall see fulfilled one
prayer for a prosperous and happy
SPAIN
Following this unusual audience all
the mayors were convoked at breakfast
with the king at the royal palace and
subsequently they were received lnau-
dience by Count Romanones, president
of the council.
In connection with Spain and Spanish
affairs Prof. Hayes of Columbia UNI
yersity proposes that Spain. the United
States. Holland, the Scandinavian states
and the South American republics
should organize neutral league
armed on the model of the leagues OF
1880 and 1888 in order to enforce the
respect Of the rights of neutrais by all
beliigerents. The league will cause its
ships to be conveyed and would oppose
by force any attack against ships that
were not carrying contraband of war
as defined by international law.
AT this hour dispatch dated PARIS.
the 18th instant. announces that the
Spanish minister to Belgium. follow
Ing the humanitarian policy of Spain,
is anxious to devise means for the i'm
mediate continuation of the work or
relief for the populations of Belgium
and northern France. Negotiations are
actually going on between the Ameri-
can relief commission and the Spanish
and Holland governments in which the
latter propose to form a joint commits.
sion to continue the work OF relief
4