Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-19
CHIEF NEUTRAL
ROLE NOT EASY
SPAIN LEARNS
Diplomatic Representatives
Ranged in so Many Hos
/ tile Camps.

Madrid, Spain, April 1s.-Now that
Spain has taken the center of the
stage ,as:the foremost neutral, follow
ing the break of relations between the
United States. and Germany she IL
finding that the role of the chief neu-
There. is added honor n prestige as
the intermediary between all the va
rious capitals. but here at Madrid the
representatives of all these capitals
are ranged in SO many hostile camps,
with their w champions and follow
ers, their own press and shades of
news and gossip, their own policies,
intrigues and w~ire-pulling, that the
government has found 1t convenient
between these different groups SO as
to prevent animosities and embarrass-
ments which might seriously interfere
with strict adherence t 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 for
err. Until recently, the British am
bassador was the dean of these for
eign representatives, and, by chance,
the wife Of the German ambassador
was doyenne of the wives of ambas-
sailors. This created something Of a
strain when the various groups as
sembled and greeted each other in
the strict order of their rank.
But when a new British ambassa-
bassador succeeded as dean of the
foreign representatives, and his wife
continued as doyenne. AS such the
German group vas distinctly al the
front. not only in precedence, but in
virtually directing all the intercourse
Of grand affairs. Even in the or
binary official meetings with the cab
met ministers, representatives of the
two hostile groups were brought to-
gether in such way hat separate
audience rooms had to be hastily
found in order to avoid a clash, but
all this Is now overcome by the estab-
lishment of different hours and days
for all the groups.
Even the national and religious
festivals are undergoing change be-
cause Of neutrality. The kings birth
day celebration was given up this
year. Usually 1t is attended by a
grand reception of all the foreign rep
r~esentatives at the royal palace, with
gala performances and popular dem
o~nstrations n bu1l-f1ghts. But all
this was omitted this year as it was
clear all the foreign representatives
could not be brought together for one
common rejoicing. The Lenten festi-
walls also, which are usually observed
with great ceremony in Spain, are
now much restricted Tor the same rea-
son of neutrality.
One of the most curious of these
ceremonies Is usually on Thursday of
the last week of Lent, when the king
washes the feet of twelve poor men
at h palace. It is called the lava
torio, is a symbol Of humility. and is
open to the public who crowd the pal
ace to witness this unusual scene
But thisa year the ceremony is omit
ted. 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 a reception at which all the
ambassador assembled. This
brought together Prince x, the am
ers and Lord Y. the ambassador Of an
Entente Power. There was a mo-
ment's hesitation. and then the En-
tente ambassador, TO relieve the
strain, smtlingly 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 embarrassed by
the affront, increased his smile into
1ouSAs IN OIlld IhSu.
"Oh, I had quite forgotten we were
al war"
There have been only two elements
to keep apart up to the rupture of re-
lations between the United States and
Germany. but this introduced a third
element Of countries which had brok-
en- relations but not gone t war
This break of relations kept the am
bassadors, apart as much as the actual
existence of war. The need for sep
arate audiences vas made evident or
the night word was received here re.
Gently that the United States had
broken relations with Germany ant
given Count Bernstorff his passports
On that night the American and the
German ambassadors here had ap.
pointment al the same hour and place
with the president Of the council
There was a hurried Encouragement
Of hours when word came Of the
breach between America and Ger
After that the new rules for sep
arate days and hours for the three
elements were scrupulously observed
But with all the precaution Spain is
finding that the important role OF
chief neutral, while having its ad-
vantages, Is attended also with many
difficulties.