Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-27
Germany and Spain.

There are strong intimations that th'
diplomatic relations between Germany ano
Spain, long seriously strained by the out
rageous aggressions of the former, may
be broken of at any time. Spain, anger
ed beyond endurance by the destruction
of Spanish merchant vessels by German
submarines, has at last threatened re
prisaIs in the form of condemnation OF
German merchant vessels Interned in
Spanish ports To this threat Germany
makes indignant protest. and calls on
Spain to hold her hand.
Here VIE have further evidence Of the
amazing unfairness of Germany and her
insistence upon her own right to violence
whatever quarter it may seem 10 serve
her interests, with complete acq,nescence
on the part of the countries thus aggrieved.
In respect of her conduct towards Spain,
Germany has been unusually aggravating.
From the beginning OF the war Spain has
preserved absolute neutrality. More
than that, the sympsthies of her reigning
powers have been more with Germany
than with the Allies. Yet Germany has
treated Spain with contempt, as she has
treated Sweden. Holland and other neutral
nations.
1t is not surprising that Spain has At
last been aroused to vigorous protest and
spirit of retaliation Spanish vessels
have been destroyed BY Germany without
the slightest Justification And now.
when Spain proposes to seek redress by
taking possession OF German merchant
vessels interned IN Spanish ports. 10 an
extent sufficient TO compensate for the
Spanish merchant vessels 50 ruthlessly
destroyed BY Germany. the latter country
growls forth sullen protest and calls on
Spain to continue an exercise Of patience
under irritating German aggressions and
patiently await the end of the war for
satisfactory settlement.
II is not in accord with human nature,
or the spirit Of nations, TO expect that
Spain Will acquiesce IN Germany demand
She has been outraged and insulted and
subjected to unnecessary loss. And now,
when she proposes 10 adopt a perfe city
fair and warranted means Of securing
reparation for her losses, Germany gowls
and protests.
There is no doubt that it would have
been better for Spain if she had broken
with Germany long ago. She never had
anything beneficial to expect from Ger
man success N the war, and now that
German success is entirely out Of the
question, her best policy would be to
array herself on the side Of the Allies.
They at least are her true friends, while
alliance with Germany never would have
assured her, even in the event OF German
success, Of anything but German vassal-
age.
The time is coming when decisive
action by Spain viii be of great importance
10 the future welfare of that country
She still has the good feeling OF the Allies,
Notwithstanding her lack of sympathy
with them until recently. At this time
negotiations are under way for CONNER
cial loan between Spain and the United
States Spain, it Is announced by
Madrid newspaper, is opening a credit Of
300, 100000 or 100000, 900 pesetas, the
United States giving as a guarantee the
signatures of American firms exporting
cotton to Spain With this credit the
United States Will be able to purchase in
Spain some Of the products necessary for
its army Ii France without the necessity
of changing dollars into pesetas and thus
avoiding the reduction in exchange.
Ambassador Willard and other American
officials have had several interviews with
the members of the Spanish government
and it is believed the basis Of an agree
ment has been reached
Such an arrangement would be Of much
benefit to Spain, far better than anything
she could expect from Germany. The |
sooner she informs Germany that she will |
no longer stand for aggression and out
rage. the better it will be for Spain.