The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-17

some of the advices reaching Spain,
 the end of the European war is not l likely to ocdur this year.
 His ExceIlency, Senor Amalio Gi- memo, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed this view to a rep resentative of the Associated Press, in i the course of a conversation held at :, the Ministry of State.
 | Spain occupies a unique position as l the representative of most of the na- i tions at war and as such she is in a | position to gauge the currents of in- formation which flow from all the quarters directly connected with the conflict. She protected the interests of some of these countries from the first, and has recently taken up most of the others laid down by the Uni ted States on the severance of rela-
 tions with Germany Already, it had been vaguely conjectured that the end
 of the war was a good way off, but
 this was the first expression from one in authority based on the unusual opportunities of the central mediating neutral to judge the real conditions and outlook.
 We have all hoped that this ter rible conflict could be brought to a close this year." the Minister went on, "perhaps in the early months of the fall and certainly by the end of the year. But I am sorry to say some of the information now reaching me is contrary to these hopes, although I am unable to make any positive state ment, the end may come next year, but even that is a matter of doubt.
 To be sure there is always the possi
 bility of a sudden and more favorable turn of affairs which may bring a cri- sis and an unexpected termination of hostilities. But generally speaking, we are obliged to accept the evidence of the present.
 .sIt is a fearful prospect" he added, "considering the enormous destruc- tion, suffering and misery which the people of these stricken countries are undergoing, and which is beginning to be felt by the people far removed from the era of warfare. But fearful as it be, that is one of the unpleasant realities of the war which we must face, and shape our course according ly instead of being led l ain hopes"
 Senor Gimeno is not only the guild ing figure of Spain's foreign relation during the war, but he is eminent in SClCIlI1l1C as W6l1 OS III puUlIC dlld1I S. Besides holding the portfolio of Min, ister of State, he is senator, a mem Der of the faculty of the University of Madrid, a doctor of medicine, an au- thor of standard books on scientific and medical subjects. five time~ a member of the cabinet, and one of the foremost men of the Liberal party now Yin power. These many qualities give him position and authority in Spanish affairs much beyond that of a political leader.
 Senor Gimeno was interested to know the sentiment in the United States in regard to. the response Spain had given to the communications of President Wilson. We are most desirous to cooper ate with the United States in every way within our power" said the Inin-I ister 'tBut in this case our internal conditions made it essential for us to observe absolute neutrality. Being on the continent of Euorope instead of of across the Atlantic, it should be 1 remembered that we are considerably l nearer the conflict than America We have among us, too, different shades | of opinion which are very strong and | need to be recognized and harmonized. | These conditions affecting our inter- nal political affairs were so strong l that strict adherence to neutrality l was positively the only course open to us. And to our responses to the | American communications have beenl framed with the double purpose of | acting in accordance with the neces- sites of our internal political affairs, and at the same time preserving and | a rcr riroor 60 vn1o ~f R~s~ . ship which now bind America and Spain so strongly together.
 We are glad to have the oppor- tunity to give evidence of this friend ship the Minister went on, '1n rep resenting the United States through | our diplomatic and consular officials | throughout Germany. and in Austria, | too, if the necessity arises We are strengthening our staff of officials at | all points in Germany by reason of | these new and important duties and, l in deference to the wishes of the Unf- l ted states, we are making changes in | the personnel so that the interests of | the United States will be looked after l at all consular points through Ger many by native-born Spanish subjects. and not by German or other foreign subjects who may be employed in the local Spanish consulates This re- quirement is necessitating a recon struction of our diplomatic and consu- lar staffs in Germany, as we wish to observe the desires of the United States to the fullest in having none but Spanish subjects look after the interests of the United States.'
 This change of personnel in the Spanish consulates of Germany which Senor Gimeno announces, will over come situation which had been pointed out by some of the American consuls passing through here from Germany on their way home They stated that at Cologne-and some other points the Spanish consul now in charge of American interests was a local German resident. This same condition prevails in the American and British consular service Where local residents are often employed in consulates not of sufficient impor- tance to warrant sending a native born American or British consul. Spain is seeing that such a situation does not apply to the care of Ameri- can interests in Germany.
 It is Spain which has accepted the of the United States ;, said the, Minister; "and I am seeing to 1t that Spanish subjects only shall he in charge of these interests. All our preparati ons have been made. Tor ,aw. ing up the relief of Belgium and in- vaded France. begun by the American Relief Commission if the necessity