Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-04-19

MADRlD, SPAN, April 19.-NOW Inaf |
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 find
ing that the role of the, chief neutral is |
rot altogether happy one. There is
added honor and prestige as the inter-
mediary between all the various CAPT.
tails, but here at Madrid the represen-
tatives 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
wirepulling, that the government has
found it convenient and necessary to
draw sharp line between these differ
ent groups SO as to prevent animosities
and embarrassments which might ser
iously interfere with strict adherence
to neutrality.
The Spanish capital is famous for
the elegance of its official receptions
with a strict adherence to precedent
and etiquette, and with all the foreign
representatives mingling together I'm
til recently, the British ambassador
was the dean of these foreign repre-
sentatives, and, by chance, the wife of
the German ambassador was doyenne
| Of the wives of ambassadors. This
created something Of a strain when
the various groups assembled and
greeted each other in the strict order
of their rank.
| But when new British ambassador
arrived recently, the German ambassa-
dor succeeded as dean of the foreign
representatives and his wife continued
as doynne. AS such the German group
was distinctly at the front not only in
precedence, but in virtually directing
all the intercourse of grand affairs.
Even in the ordinary official meetings
with the cabinet ministers, representa-
tives of the two hostile groups were
brought together in such way that
separate audience rooms had to be
hastily found in order to avoid clash,
but all this is now overcome by the
establishment of different hours and
days for all the groups.
Festivals Changing.
4 Even the national and religious fest
ivals are undergoing change because OF
neutrality The Kings birthday cele-
bration was given up this year. Usually
it is attended by grand reception of
all the foreign representatives at the
royal palace, with gala performances
and popular demonstrations and bull
fights But all this was omitted this
year as it was clear all the foreign rep
resentatives could not be brought to-
gether for inc common rejoicing. The
lenten festivals also, which are usually
observed with great ceremony in
Spain, are now much restricted for the
same reason of neutrality.
One of the most curious of these GER
emonies is usually on Thursday of
the last week of lent, when the king
washes the feet of twelve poor men
at the palace 1t is called the lavatorio,
is a symbol of humility, and is open to
the public who crowd the palace to
witness this unusual scene. But this
! year the ceremony is omitted, as it
would bring together the two opposing
war elements.
The need for this strict observance
was made plain by several incidents.
Before the new rules came into force
there was reception at which all the
ambassadors were assembled. This
brought together Prince X, the am
bassador of one of the Central Powers
and Lord Y, the ambassador of an En-
tente Power There was a moments
hesitation, and then the Entente am
bessador, to relieve the strain, smil-
irgIy extended his hand. But Prince X,
instead of taking the hand, carried his
own hand behind his back. Whereupon
the Entente ambassador, not to be en-
barrassed by the affront, increased his
smile into hearty laugh. and remark
ed: