Omaha daily bee., 1917-06-16
The Spanish Point of View
BIZ Frederic j. HIS IN l. r

Washington June 13.-Spain stands out as the
most important OF the European neutrals. 1t
| has most of the diplomatic business Of the world
on its shoulders since America entered the war.
| No neutral nation4certanly not America-has
studied every step and passing phase Of the great
conflict as keenly and closely as Spain, from the
very beginning. No neutral had better facilities
Tor obtaining information. For all of which
reasons Spanish views OF the war are entitled to
respectful consideration, and more especially in
teresting is the Spanish view Of unlimited sub
marine warfare, and the American declaration of
the existence of state OF war.
These Spanish opinions differ on many points,
but they one regarding the submarine ques-
ton as a whole, and very significant whole,
from August, 1914, down to the present day. 1t
is regarded barometer OF the hopes of Ger
many, an indicator sensitive to every military,
political and ecoRomic problem that vexes the
central powers
The more active the German submarines, ac-
cording to this View, the more the Germans
desparing OF victory on land. When they made
concessions to the neutras in the past, such con-
cessions came at times when prospects were
bright for their armies. 1t is worth while to con-
slider the record Of the submarine in connection
with the ups and down OF land warfare
The German submarine attitude in the spring
OF 1915 was accordingly complaisant to con-
siderable degree-sso yielding that Won Tirpitz,
advocate of submarine frightfulness threatened
to resign, But the super-polthians held him in
check. The Sussex was sunk on March "a Ger
many hinted that it might have been mistake
America took it sharply to task, and Germany
yielded. 1t promised not to sink neutral vessels
in or out of the war zone" without warning, and
without giving those on board ample opportunity
to seek safety. This was triumph for America
and 1t came while Germany was pinning its faith
to triumph at Vcrdun.
But They shall not pas." said the French
arIt thsa,YI W.
of course inactive. In the spring of 1917 what
did Germany face? 1t saw the numerical su-
perlority in highly trained troops, which it had
held from the beginning. won by the allies. 1t
say its advantage i'll artillery and munitions go
the same way. 1t saw the Russian front holding
firm. 1t saw Russians and English driving on in
Asia. 1t saw Cadorna preparing to take the
offensive in Italy. And on the western front
banking like a thunder cloud, it saw the French
and British preparing for the greatest drive in
history. SO Germany turned again to the sub
marine And as its need was greater than ever
before, so did it cast off all restrictions more
completely than ever before.
The German chancellor, who had three times
publicly opposed unrestricted submarine warfare
yielded completely 'It is fight for life and
death" he said
Submarine warfare is seen in Spain as des-
perate stroke with a chance for success. Some
doubt is expressed as to whether America can
organize quickly enough to defeat Germany.
Such is typical Spanish view of the subma-
rine question, and it is the view of men in touch
with many sources OF information. They regard
the entrance of America into the war as an event
OF Notwithstanding importance
Our motives are sometimes questioned in |
Spain. There is more friendly feeling toward |
Germany there than in most Of the neutral states
and our own past relations with Spain have not |
inspired it with any great affection for u.s. though
M Ioft . IL
But while admitting the American issue, the
Spaniard asks if America has no other motives |
Do the Americans want to control the destnes
OF the world after the war; they ask.
For thus seriously is our entrance into the war |
regarded 1t is called an event of Notwithstanding |
Importance. After thirty centuries of world |
domination says one authority Europe today has
not even its own fate in its own hands.