New-York tribune., 1920-12-20
Spanish Trade
Alliance With
Britain Pendil1e. g g:
Ministers Refuse to Dis
cuss Reports That Pact
Already Has Been Made
Following Kings Visits
Conditions Favor Entente
U. S. He'd Disqualified Be-
cause Dry Law Discour-
ages Imports of Wines

MADRID, Dec. 10 (Ry The Associated
Press) s).--Althousn Marquis de Lena
the Spanish Foreign Minister, was non
committal to-day when questioned re
garding reports that an important
treaty had been concluded between
Spain and Great Britain, there is incli-
nation in the highest political circles
here to give credit to the indications
which have found publicity recently
from various quarters that Spain in
tends to break away from the isolation
which has been her policy since the
restorat on of the monarchy. The For
cign Minister'S informal statement was
that he was unable to give a definite
reply to the inquiry regarding the re-
ported Anglo-Spanish treaty, but he
remarked that the relations between
the two countries were of the most cor
dial nature.
Inquiries made OF Cabinet members
in an effort to obtain statement for
publication developed no result, the
ministers declining to be quoted. 1t is
generally admitted, however that con-
versations have been progressing for
several months with a view to the ne
gotiation of strong commercial con-
vention with Great Britain. 1t is ar
gued on many sides that such conven-
tion would be purely logical outcome
OF present conditions, as Spain is in
need of foreign counsel and assistance
to aid in her Developments
Latin Alliance Abandoned
II was thought at one time that an
agreement with the Latin countries of
Europe would be the ideal policy for
Spain to pursue, bat both the monarch
and the nation as Il whole appear to
have come to the conclusion that such
policy would be more idealistic than
practical ana ''li.t it vxs necessary
that material benefits be sought
King Alfonso, with his customary
energy, occupied himself with the ques-
tion and did everything in MS power to
cement. the alread cordial relations
with the South American countries.
Meanwhile the statesmen Of Spain were
considering the situation in all its
nights before making any approach to
another nation.
AS the result of their investigation
1T was found that the sistor Latin
nations of Europe were iii virtually
the same position as Spain herse. t.
France, Italy and Portugal all having
similar natural products for disposal,
such as vine, oil and fruits. Then,
according to high political quarters
the United States was taken into con-
sheraton as an outlet fo,. Spanish
trade, but 1t was found that the re-
cent la#s in America closed the MAJ
ket there for Spanish wines. while
fruits are grown IN abundance in the
United States and its oils are drawn /
10 "a great extent from Italy, so the /
faoe would be somewhat one-sided
Britain Only Outlet Remaining
With Germany and Austria out of
the question for the time being. at
least, the only other available points |
OF the Compass were Spanish America
and Great Britain. The natural atm
ity Of race, it is pointed out, at
tracted Spain toward Spanish America (
with which her relations were CON
stantly becoming stronger. The diff
cuitles OF shipping and connections for
an Immediate increase in the South
American, trade. however, were found :
to re great Therefore only Great I
brltG was lett, and here the opening
seems 10 have been found
The official relations between Spain
and Eng and always have been friendly /
The families OF the two royal houses 7
are very c-ose to each other. while /
Great Britain offered Il good market
for all the Spanish products, and being
near at hand could give good terms for
the exchange OF commodities 1t is /
generally believed IN political quarters
my INC recent frequent visits or King !
Alfonso to MS wife's relatives were a
cover for informal Conversations, which
are now reported 10 have reached the
polnt where an announcement of
commercial convention is matter Of
short time. probably taking the shane
u 4 message from the King to the new
Cores.
Some Of the Spanish statesmen. in
:iud.ng Count Romanones and Santiago
Alba, are Of the opinion that the nego-
.iations have gone further and have
reached the stage OF an entente of
nature similar to that which existed
between France and Great Britain he
Tore the war. II is matter Of com
petent report that both Premier Dato
and Marquis de Lena favor some such
step