The Washington herald., 1918-04-09
GERMANY'S HAND SEEN
In SPAIN'S FAILURE
TO KEEP u. S. PLEDGE
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French Government reported that
the section of the agreement under
which France was to be given a f.
nancial credit in Spain had not be-
come effective. The French had not
asked for a loan but Spanish money
was to be made available for the
purchase of army supplies in Spain
upon securities furnished by the
French Government
The United States had agreed to let
Spain have cotton only upon the
agreement that this credit would be
made available.
Next came the information that the
supplies of beans, blankets and mules
purchased by General Pershing for
the American forces were not NOV
ing. 1t had been agreed these COM
modities and the mules would be re-
leased in return for bunker coal
which was already being supplied the
Spanish ships. and for the american
railway materials which Spain was
being permitted to take out.
All efforts to get an official expla-
nation from the Spanish government
have been without result. Confden-
tial reports. however. reveal that
German influences are at the bottom
of all the delay and trouble.
Ordered Back to Port.
Ten days ago when the Spanish ship
Montevideo was a short distance out
of Cadiz bound for the United States
the vessel was stopped by a German
submarine commander. The vessel
iaI -
acter but was ordered back to port
under penalty OF being sent to the
bottom.
In attempting to explain this action
the German representative at BARGE
Iona said no Spanish ships should be
allowed to return to American ports
as they would be seized in the same
manner that Dutch ships had been
taken. The War Trade Board imme-
diately had an official announcement
made that was a guarantee against
seizure.
The German authorities got around
this by renewing their threat to sink
all Spanish ships engaged in carrying
commodities obtainable only under
the recent trade agreement. The re-
suit was that but few ships have left
the Spanish coasts since that time.
1t was said officially by the War
Trade Board representatives. that the
wharves in the United States where
Spanish ships are accustomed to load,
are now piled high with commerce
which can not be moved for lack of
ships. These great quantities of cot
ton and machinery were mentioned
as evidence of the desire of the United
States to keep its part of the agree
ment.
Cotton supply Depleted.
Commerce reports received show
that the cotton mills in the vicinity
Of Barcelona had less than two weeks
supply Of raw material on hand ten
days ago. Many thousands of persons
in Spain are afforded a livelihood by
the industry. and the effect of dis
content which comes with idleness
and hunger, 1t Is thought may soon
produce a serious situation.
The final demand of the German
diplomatic representatives is under
stood to be against ratification of the
reciprocal agreement which affects
both France and the United States.
Prior to the receipt of this informa-
ton 1t had been understood here all
necessary official approval had been
given.
The Spanish Ambassador, Senior ].
Riano, declined to make any comment
upon the developments. State Depart
ment officials also maintained silence
on the ground that the negotiations
had been handled through the War
Trade Board,