The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-09
SPAIN WILL ENDEAv0R TO KEEP
 NEUTRALITY, DESPITE U. 5. ENTRY
 IN WAR, HEAD OF MINISTRY SAYS

WnOIIl our SillpS ScCh IO Sel OAA SAASAA normal trade. There have been eff fective representations, which we be- lieve are being met with a suitable regard for our rights and our inter- ests, not only in the particular cases which have arisen, but also in amel1- orating the general effect of the dam age which the system indirectly 1n- flicts on Spain.'
 The President was asked if the ac- tion of the United States in breaking relations with Germany, added to the responsibilities of Spain as the fore most neutral nation standing between the belIigerents.
 Tt has added very greatly to our responsibilities" he replied. And yet it is role which Spain accepts with a certain degre of satisfaction and pride, in the belief that 1t enables us to perform a useful service to both sides and to the worEd at large. The added responsibilities of a diplomatic nature are in themselves considerable, for now that the United States no longer represents the Entente nations and the Central Powers vis-a-vis of each other at the various capitals, Spain has been charged very largely with these important duties.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 repre- sentation of the United States at Ber- lin on the withdrawal of your am- bassador, and to take over a number of the other representations which the United States had carried on up to that time.
 'As such channel of communication between the belligerents," was sug- gested, would it not fall to Spain to transmit any proposition one of the belligerents, or group of bell1gerents might wish to communicate to anoth- CT belligerent or group"
 That of course, would be. a 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 transmits sion-without necessitating the slight est initiative or responsibility on her part.'
 "But does not the new position of Spain, as the foremost neutral, give her the opportunity of initiating mea- 'sures of peace when the opportune moment arrives?" was asked.
 The President of the Council held up his hand in a warning manner. He had been smiling and most gracious up to this moment, but now the stern ness of his look indicated that the questioner was getting on dangerous ground. Then he said:
 There has been too much talk about peace. Yes. far too much in my opinion to assist in the accom- plishment of peace. It will be time enough to talk of that when the op perfume moment arrives. To talk of it now is only to invite animosities and arouse hopes which will not be realized"
 Spain is fortunately placed" was suggested, ''not only for the present, but also to realize great benefits after the war"
 "It means" he said, "the birth of new Spain. We are, indeed, most for tunately located outside the pale of this terrible conflict. Much as we may deplore it, it is inevitable that the countries at war and the neutral na- tions lying near them, will suffer un- told losses during the long period of conflict. They will be burdened with debt, their productive resources will have suffered fincalculable injury while all their energies have been de- voted to destruction, their whole scale of life will be clouded and dwarfed for many years to come. There will be revival and reconstruction, to be sure, but it will be the slow and pain full effort of countries wounded in the very vita1s of their social and political existence.
 ''As purely natural and logical re- suit of our geographical position, I believe it will be inevitable that Spain will undergo an unprecedented era of revival and reconstruction, justifying the hope of the birth of a new Spain. It is for us to prepare for this new era which lies ahead for Spain,' pur- sued the President of the Council. "And we are doing this in many ways, developing and modernizing our rail- ways. steamships, ports, and all the factors of modern trade and transpor- tation. The war has opened the eyes of Spain and has disclosed to her the position Of prestige in the worlds af- fairs which properly pertains to her. That, I believe, will be one of the most important results following the war, that we will see new Spain rising feom the destruction Inevitable to this conflict''
 Your Exce1lency spoke of new and enlarged relations with the new world. Does this refer to relations with the United States?"
 Most assuredly it does," he replied. 'I am glad to say that our relations with the great republic of North Am erica were never more cordial than they are at present. But it seems to me there Is something more than a platonic cordiality lying ahead of the two nations which lie closest to each other across the Atlantic. After all, it cannot be overlooked that we are of common stock. There are ties of birth and blood between Spain and America as vital as the ties of language. And beside that, remember that Spain is the westermost nation of Europe, reaching out into the Atlantic toward America, her ports lying closest to the ports of Amreica, and offering the shortest and most natural highway, not only between American and Spain, but also between American and the whole continent of Europe.
 America and Spain are nearest in birth,' nearest in geographical proxim- ity, and they should strengthen their relations together for the great era of reconstruction and revival which lies ahead of them when this world -trag- edy of war is over."
 DIPLOMATS COST $5,OOO,OOO