Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-02
SPAIN WILL SEIZE
GERMAN VESSELS
Sinking of Steamer Ataz-Mendi
Is Responsible for
Drastic Action.
FORMAL NOTE IS ISSUED
Action of Spanish Cabinet Likely
to Bring In Other
Neutrals.

MADRID, September 1.-The Spa nish
government has decided to take over
all the German steamships interncd in
Spanish ports in accordance with
Spain's recent note to Berlin. because
of the torpedoing of Spanish vessels by
German submarines.
Foreign Minister Dato announced at
a meeting OF the Cabinet tonight that
the Spanish steamship Ataz-Mendi. car
ryirE cargo of coal from England TO
Spain. had hetn torpedoed and sunk
by German submarine.
The issuance of a formal note by
Spain that she proposes to safeguard
her interests against Germany Oh the
lines of her statement of August 10 is
looked upon by high government Of
hcials here az likely to bring OH war
crisis between the two countries.
The suggestion of the likelihood of
war is based, in the opinion Of some
of these officials. on the fact that tho
have reached the swapping point. The
evident feeling OF the people of Spain
as against what has been describ ID
here as the dilatory action of the Span
now very aCutely.
AS Spain is neutral fully compe-
tent 10 take care of he- affair with
Germany, il is asserted here that the
United States Will not interfere. AS a
matter Of fact. it is known that the
Cnitcd states has not yet been ap-
prised of the action of Spain In issu-
ing note of the kind referred to in
the cable service.
There was friction enough" said one
of the o.hcials. commenting on these
the utmost forbearance, and. so far as
have learned. there has been an
1imost uninterrupted series of affronts.
This last incident, coming on the heels
"
would bring about an armed clash. II
not. il is expected In official circles
that Spain will actually put in force
Ner intention. made public about Au-
ish ports in retaliation for the viola
tion of Spain's neutrality by the unre-
strained U-boat warfare. against which
Spain has been protesting ever since
February, 1916"
OTHER NEUTRAL POWERS
MAY JOIN WITH ALLIES
1t Is pointed out that If Spain were
TO align herself against Germany In
her present beaten and eShaustod state.
there would no longer be question
of Holland or any of the Scandina vian
countries entering the war either for
or against the allies. Spain is regard
ed as rejuvenatedt powerful country,
whose alignment in the field with the
allies on the western front, with easy
access TO il. would SO stiffen the allied
cause as to stabilize the rest of Ell.
rope ard keep any other country out OF
the war.
The German government. according
TO advices from Swiss sources, Is "ra-
eing" over the Spanish situation Ger
many does not want war with Spain.
il is explained, because of the powerful
Spanish influence throughout South
= america. At the same time she is un-
willing to conccde TO the Madrid gov
ernment the right TO replace torpedoed
Spanish vessels with inte ned German
ships, chiefly because once this prin-
ciple has been accepted all other neu-
trails woud seize German tonnage to
take the place OF vessels sent TO the
bottom by C-boats.
Everything indicates that the whole
prestige of the German military party
is involved in the crisis with Spain.