Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-02-28
US. NEGOTIATES
TOSUPPLY ARMY
THROUGH SPAIN
Lifting of Madrid Embargo on
American War Goods
Believed in Sight

Washington, Feb. 2S.-Rehabili-
tation of the Spanish railroad sys-
tenn is planned by the United States
to make possible the shipment of
large quantities of supplies from
Spain to General Pershing's forces
in France.
An offer of American railway
materials has been made as a part
of negotiations the United States is
conducting to persuade Spain to lift
her embargo against the shipment
of goods into France, placed, ac-
cording to the Spanish government,
because OF the broken-down condi-
tion of her railroads.
While a final agreement has not
been signed closing of the negotia-
tons is near, it is said. and Spain
again has been notified all Span
ish ships held in American ports are
tlee TO sail as soon as they dis
charge the parts of their cargoes for
which licenses have been denied or
revoked. 1t was reiterated there is
no disposition to hold Spanish ships
10 exert pressure on the negotiations.
Some six Spanish steamships and
half as many sailing ships are now
in American ports.
Bid For Spanish Tonnage
The American government, it was
learned to-day. in its latest proposal
to Spain has asked for the use of
considerable Spanish tonnage on
terms similar to those by which it
obtained ships owned by northern
European neutrals. This tonnage
would be paid for at a high rate and
for the most part would be used by
the United States in nonhazardous
trades.
The War Trade Boards system
Tor reducing imports calls for a con-
siderable cut in the importation of
Spanish products. AS the American
governments own needs and those
of its associates in the war will alb
sorb most of the export commodities
produced in the United States, ex-
poNs to Spain also will be limited.
This, in the view of officials, should
release a number of Spanish ships
now plying between the United
states and Spain which the Amer
lean government could charter.
Spain Cut on From Materials
The Spanish railroads have been
in poor condition for a long time.
Cut off to a large extent from ma
terials to make repairs, the govern
ment has been unable to keen the
roads efficient. This situation was
given by the Spanish government as
its reason for refusing to ship any
thing into France.
The embargo stopped the ship
ment o. mules, blankets and other
supplies General Pershing had or
dered. The United States will let
Spain have general railroad sup
plies and particularly parts to put
Spanish locomotives in good repair.
shipment of lubricating oil already
has been authorized.
The agreement proposed by the
United States would give Spain
adequate supplies of cotton and
petroleum and in addition would
provide for the export of such other
commodities as the United States
feels it can spare.
The United States, it is declared.
asks in return no unreasonable as
sistance. Officials feel that in
sparing some of its most greatly
needed commodities all the neutrals
with whom it is conducting negotia
tions should be liberal in their COM
mercial concession.
King Alfonso has taken a per
sonal interest in the negotiations be
tween the United States and Spain
and has helped smooth over differ
ences.
The friendly action of Spain in
assuming charge of American in
terests in Germany, it is declared.
has influenced the American gov
ernment toward adopting a liberal
policy