Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-03-01
TRADE AGREEMENT
MADE WITH SPAIN
WILL GREATLY AID ALLIES IN
THEIR SHIPPING - SIGNED By
BOTH FRANCE AND THE UNITED
STATES.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March l.
Spain has entered into trade agree
ment with France, as we'll as with the
! United States. Both understandings
have just been ratified at Madrid They
are regarded as even more important
than those recently negotiated with
| Switzerland.
The greatest value to the Entente
Allies of the new accords will be the
| shipping that will become available
| for their service. The precise tom
mage involved is not yet known here,
| but it is large and will have vital
part to play in moving supplies, both
directly and through the release OF
/ stores already in Spain, which will be
sent to France as a result of the
| foodstuffs and other goods permitted
to Spain as part of the understanding.
1t was said today that mules are
not involved in the agreement, al
though reports received yesterday in
cluded them. Anseffort was made to
have mules included, but it became
| impossible to arrange this.
The French understanding differs
from that secured by the united
States only in that France is given
permission to purchase in Spain and
| is enabled to establish substantial
credit for that purpose.
Major August Belmont and Archer
NJ. Huntington conducted the negotia-
tons in behalf of the United States,
acting, of course, with Ambassador
Willard.
Mr.. Huntingtons service in this
! connection became known today for
the first time. He was able to be of
especial value because of the high re-
gard in which he is held in Spain,
where he received part of his educa-
ton, and where he has paid repeated
visits.
! Mr.. Huntington is a knight Com
mander of the Order of Alfonso XII,
a. corresponding member of the Royal
Spanish Academy and of many other
organizations under royal patronage.
He has been the frequent guest of the
present king, and has written much
amout Spanish life and literature
Years ago he published a monu-
mental translation of the poem of the
Cid by himself and he founded the
Hispanic Society of America, OF
which he is still president. Through
this close relationship with Spanish
affairs and Spanish officials, Mr.
Huntington was able to render signal
service at this time
The conclusion of the accord came
| Just six weeks after the negotiations
began. They covered period OF
three weeks. The signing of the
agreement comes at fortunate time
politically. The Spanish elections are
on the eve of being held. The Cortez
is not now in session, and it will not
he necessary to submit the agreement
to debate and possible rejection.
For Spain, the negotiations were
conducted by Ruiz Semen, foremost
| financier of the kingdom; Senior Ur-
ouiio, another well known banker
| anr Senior Garnica, assistant minister
of finances. The French negotiators
were Gen. Meauclere of the ministry
of munitions, and NJ Lafteria of the
finance ministry.
An early conclusion of the pending
shipping agreement between the
United States and Norway is also fore
cast This agreement will release a
considerable amount of neutral ship
ping
The War Trade board, in conjunc-
ton with the Shipping board, has
taken action that will insure Ameri-
can registry and American control for
all vessels turned out under the ship
| building program. These ends will
be effected by rules governing the
granting of licenses for bunker fuel
ships stores and supplies. Under
these rules it will be possible to with
hold licenses from all vessels except
those approved by the Shipping board.
Every baker, big and little, is now