The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-02
SUMTER, s. c., SAA URDAY, MARCH 2, 1918
TRADE AGREEMENT MADE.
UNITED STATES AIDS RAILWAYS
OF SPAIN.
Government Plans to Rehabilitatc
System Now i'm Poor Condition i'm
Order to Insure Shipments of Goods
to General Pershing in France.

Washington, Feb. 27.--Rehabilita-
ton of the Spanish railroad system is
planned by the United States to make
possible the shipment of large quanti-
ties of supplies from Spain to General
Pershings forces in Europe. An offer
of American railway materials has
been made as a part Of negotiations
the United States is conducting to in
duce Spain to lift her embargo against
the shipment of goods into France,
placed. according to the Spanish gov
ernment, because Of the broken con-
dtion Of her roads.
While final agreement has not
been signed, conclusion of the nego-
tiation it was said today are near and
Spain again has been notified that all
Spanish ships held in American ports
are free to sail as soon as they dis
charge the parts of their cargoes for
which licenses have been denied or
revoked. 1t was reiterated that there
is no disposition to hold Spanish ships
to exert pressure on the negotiations
There are now in American ports some
six Spanish steamers and half as
many sailing ships.
The American government, it was
learned today, in its latest proposal to
Spain. has asked for the use OF con-
siderable Spanish tonnage on terms
similar to those on which 1t obtaine 1
ships owned by the northern Euro
pean neutrals. This tonnage would be
paid for at high rate and for the
most part would be used by the Unit
ed States in the hazardous trades
The war trade boards plan for re-
ducing imports calls for considerable
cut in the importation of Spanish
products. AS the American govern
ment's own needs and those of its
associates in the war will absorb most
OF the export commodities, produced
in the United States exports to Spain
will also be limited. This in the view
of officials should release a number of
Spanish ships now plying between
the United Sttaes and Spain which
the American government could
charter.
The Spanish railroads have been in
poor condition for a long time. Gu.
off to large extent from materials
to make repairs the government has
been unable to keep the roads eff
cient This situation was given by the
Spanish government as it's reason for
refusing to ship anything into France
The embargo stopped the shipments
of mules, blankets and other sup
plies General Pershing has ordered
The United States will let Spain have
general railroad supplies and particu-
lar parts to put Spanish locomotives
In good repair. A shipment Of lu-
Drlcating oil for immediate necessities
already has been authorized. The
agreement proposed by the United
states would give Spain adequate sup
plies of cotton and petroleum and ir
addition would provide for the export
OF such other commodities as the
United States feels it can spare under
its construction pr ogram.
The United States, it is declared
asks in return no unreasonable assist
ance. Officials feel that in sharing
some Of it's most needed commodities
all the neutrals with whom it is con-
Quoting negotiations should be liberal
In their commercial concessions
King Alfonso had taken a personal
interest i'm the negotiations between
tn United States and Spain and has
helped smooth over difficulties that
have arisen. The friendly action of
Spain in assuming charge of Ameri-
can interests i'm Germany, It is declar-
ed. has influenced the American gov
crnment towards adopting a liberal
policy.
SPANISH SHIP TOBpCDOED