The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-09-05
Other Mems Views
An Editorial That May or May Not squar
With The Views of The Forum

The Manitoba Free Press
Neutral nations have become so scarce that
their attitude towards the war has almost ceased
to attract attention. Nevertheless the disposition
of neutrals to attempt to safeguard their future
relations with the probable victors in the war by
lnclining favorable ear to their propositions or
protestations has n certain value as indicating
the opinion Of outsiders as to the outcome of the
struggle. The change in the attitude of Swe-
den and Finland has already been commented
upon. Sweden has at last recognized the block
ade arrangements Of the Entente Alliance though
since the institution of the blockade of Germany
it's government has evaded taking any action
which could be construed by the latter as sup
porting hostile policy. Finland, in spite of the
invitation extended by it's pro- German faction to
a German prince to become it's king has ex-
pressed a strong desire to return to the state of
strict neutrality which it asserted after it's dec
laration of independence of Russia. But still
more significant is the sudden firmness of Spain
in regard TO the sinkings Of Spanish vessels by
German submarines.
The maintenance by successive Spanish minis
tries of the neutral attitude has been ascribed to
various causes. The desire of Spain to occupy the
position of mediator when al opportunity to dis
cuss peace terms should present itself: the in
ternal conflict between democrat and autocrat,
extending into the army as we'll as the political
sphere; the education of the Spanish people,
through, the press as we'll by other means in
opinions favorable to Germany as against the
neglect by the entente nations to state their
case specifically to Spaniards; these and other
reasons have been assigned for the somewhat
remarkable position which Spain has from time
to time taken up, especially in regard to the sub
marine warfare, by which she has suffered heav-
lily.
But at last Spain has determined to do some
thing more than register diplomatic protests
against the ilegalites which have resulted in the
loss Of Spanish property and Of Spanish lives
The German vessels interned in Spanish ports
are to be taken over in compensation for those
sunk by the German submarines.
Clearly Spain fears the consequences of Of
Tending Germany less than 1t has appeared to do
at any time since the submarine warfare began.
At times in the past it might have been sus-
pected of looking leniently upon the naneuyers
of German submarine commanders in Spanish
waters and of being somewhat lax in stopping the
activities of Germany's agents in Spain. Now it
develops unusual anxiety to recoup itself at
Germany's expense for the ships lost. AS the
chances of a German victory grow less in Span
ish eyes the disposition to attach whatever Ger
man assets happen to be within reach as se-
curity for damages sustained grows also Ger
many, the other hand, evinces noticeable an
xiety to retain what shreds Of friendship for it
self still exist in the outer world upon which it
with which even central European empire could
not provide It,