New Britain herald., 1917-04-20


 internal political affairs were so strong that a strict adherence to neu- trality was positively the only course open to us. And so our responses to the American communications have been framed with the double purpose of acting in accordance with the nec- essities of our internal political affairs, and at the same time preserving and enlarging those relations of friendship 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, lin 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 ali points in Germany by reason of these new and important duties and. in deference to the wishes of the United States we are making changes in the personnel so that the interests of the United Sates will be looked af- CT at all consular points through Germany by native-born Spanish sub- jects, and not by German or other foreign subjects who may be em-
  This requirement is necessitating q reconstruction of our diplomatic and consular 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 tho interests of the United States" Germans i'm Spanish Consulates. This change of personnel in the Spanish consulates of Germany which Senor Gimeno announces, will over- come a 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 con- dition prevails in the American and British consular service. Where To- cal residents are often employed in consulates not of sufficient import ance to warrant sending a native-born American or British consul. Spain 1s seeing that such . situation does not apply to the care of American in- terests in Germany.
 Tt is Spain which has accepted the representation. of the United States, l said the minister, "and I am seeing to 1t that Spanish subjects only shall 1 be in charge of these interests All
 our preparations have been made for
 taking up the relief of Belgium and 1 invaded France, begun by the Amer ican Relief Commission if the neces- sity arises"
 1 Senor Gimeno was asked what
 measures Spain had adopted to pro- tect her food supplies because of the l world shortage resulting from the war.
 l We have prohibited the exporta- tions of practically all the essential l articles of food" he said. This does 1 not mean an embargo on all exports
 but only on those affecting alimen- ] tation and nourishment. This is a l measure of self-prOtection for our
 stock of food supplies. It is the same , the increasing demand for foodstuffs ] become acute later, in case of short crops among the nations which are giving all their energies to fighting l instead of producing food.".
 Senor Gimeno had closing word
 to say on the good relations between
 Spain and the United States, and his
 belief that out of the war would arise ap even greater community of in
 terest between Spain and America, 1 North and South a community which | he will seek to encourage and develop
 commercially, politically, and in every branch of international inter-
 course.
 Senor Gimeno later read over the foregoing and authorized it's use. l Because of this precaution, we
 have prohibited the export of wheat
 flour, potatoes. beans, vegetables of
 all sorts meat, poultry, eggs. milk,
 butter and the whole range of daily
 household requirements. But this
 does not interfere with the exporta-
 ton of our products of iron. olive
 oil, fruit and other articles not essen
 tial to the food requirements of oui