Evening star., 1917-05-20
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By CHARLES M. PEPPER.

CdAhAG0 Q0s
~ PAINS status in the war has be-
come the puzzle of Europe.
At one time the trend to the
~ cause of the entente allies was so
strong as to make declaration of war
against Germany probable. notwithstand-
ing the powerful German influences
which were at work Then there was the
swing the other way. and Spain seemed
to be passive ally of Germany without
having declared war against the entente
allies.
After that something like an equi-
Tbrium was obtained. Ali parties seemed
TO agree that Spain should preserve the
status of neutrality. There were practical
reasons for this. of course, as well as SEN
timental reasons The hope of becoming
a mediator was strong in the minds OF
both pro-Germans and anti-GermanS.
There was the prospect that Spain might
resume her position of a century ago as
one of the principal powers Of Europe,
through the exertion of her influence as
mediator.
The pendulum again swung to the allies
when the Romanones ministry came into
power. Count Romanones, its chief, was
a very forceful personality. and for a
year he completely dominated the situa-
licf HIS pOicy was lifett VI IeutTdhly
as to entering the war on the side of
either set of belligerents. but of favoring
the entente allies so far as Spain could
favor them. Under his ministry the sharp
notes were sent to Germany protesting
against the destruction of Spanish ships
by German submarines. the protests
were couched in such vigorous language
that they semed to foreshadow an actual
declaration of war. but Germany man
aged TO satisfy the Spanish demand with
out making any real concessions 1t is
GEply submarine ndprS
We're instructed to exercise care in sink
ing Spanish ships.
The Romanones ministry appeared to be
having its own way as to friendship with
the entente allies, when, quite unex-
pectedly. it was disclosed not long ago
that 1t was out. and that Senior Maura.
himself a very forceful personality, was
once more leading figure in Spanish
affairs.
The Spanish political system is some
what complicated, but it may be said
that there is always opposition. as III
the British parliament. and that. in the
Ordinary course of political events, the
opposition frequently becomes the party
!, III power. Senior Maura. as a political
leader. therefore had been in and out OF
power at intervals. and there was nothing
astonishing about the eclipse of his in
f.dence and then his emergence into sun
Hight.
What was surprising was his changed
attitude He had been pro-ally in the
most pronounced manner. Now. il is re-
ported that he has become pro-German,
not through any declarat ton of friendship
for Germany. but through his attitude
toward the obligation of the allies to
Spain for preserving neutrality. Senor
Aiaura and his followers said to in
sist that England should return Gibraltar
TO Spain and that this should be part of
any peace settlement in readjusting the
geography of Europe Spanish sensibili-
lies. this party claims. are wounded and
the national spirit Inundated by the con-
tinued occupation by foreign power of
this strip of Spanish territory.
Ocean travellers, who take the Medi-
tcrranean route. know that there is some
thing more to Gibraltar than its con-
eenience life insurance advertise
nient. Most OF them go ashore and stroll
rcross the line which divides Spanish ter
ritory from the British military district
IL is not very different from stepping
across the line that divides the United
States naval reservation al Guantanamo
from Cuban territory Few of the visitors
however. think much about the supposed
anomaly OF a foreign possession of strip
Of Spanish territory.
Gibraltar has been u British military
fortress for couple of centuries.
There was one occasion when British
statesmen thought so little of il that
they were ready TO trade it off But
- that was long ago. Gibraltar is now
one of the many British military out
posts ON the route to India. 1t is also
one of the means of making the Medi-
terranean British lake. although in
consequence of the war alliance the
term FrancoBritish lake might be
more suitable. The probability that
England would consider turning back
Gibraltar to Spain in return for Spain's
positive alinement in the present war
may be dismissed from consideration
The Spanish populace has some pecu-
liar attributes of its own, and so have
the Spanish politicians and the COM
mercfal and industrial classes For
that reason ii is extremely difficult to
guess what actually is going on in
Spain at present, beyond the knowledge
that there is national ferment
KiDg Alfonso. Notwithstanding his
I. Austrian blood, is strongly in favor of
the fntente allies. 1t may be that be-
cause his consort is an English prin-