New-York tribune., 1921-10-16
SEVILLE, Spain

Germany interfered with as regards time,
but in no other way. Unlike many cities and
individuals, Seville apparently does not let
delays bother her Intentions or permanently
checkmate her purposes. "Manana," which
means Tomorrow is her favorite word but
Seville's tomorrow does come.
Therefore, according to Robert Harnden, the
American Consul here, and to other
perical judges of Sevle's way Of doing
things, visitors are quite wrong in concluding
that the exposition plans have fallen through,
merely because the handsome buildings now
appear deserted and unfinished and altogether
more than an easy paradise for the few
guides who haunt them, and who usually man
age to collect from strangers. On the con-
trary, the delay has enabled Seville to enlarge
the original scope Of the exposition, SO that it
probably will be worlds fair instead of
Spansh-Anerican exposition first proposed
In either case, the idea Of the exposition is
to celebrate the activity of Spain in adventur-
ing into the Western Hemisphere several CEN
turies ago. and the relations past and future
OF Spain and the New World. Naturally the
United States is involved in this conception
and the question OF whether our country will
accept the invitation of Seville to participate
in the exposition is what makes the subject
timely now.
There are influences against such partici-
patton, mainly economic, and they have their
seat IN certain countries of South America
which fear that the entrance of The United
States may disturb their present business rela-
tions with Spain and result in q loss of much
good trade. The hopes of these countries that
the United States will not join with Seville have
been aided thus far by our general Indifference
to the commercial opportunities which Spain
affords.
Granted that apathy to the Spanish market
formerly was justified, there are reasons for
doubling that it is justified any longer. There
are signs chat the restrictions caused by the
recent war benefited Spain by throwing her
moro upon her own resources than she had
been, and so stirring up an initiative that has
outlasted the conflict. For example, her olive
oil, abundant and superior, in the belief of
some people, to any other, formerly had been
shipped in crude form to Italy and there re-
fined, but when the war prevented such ship
nents Spain was forced to do her own
fning, and, having found that she could,
tnued a it afterward, to the enhancement Of
her product The coal mines likewise were
dependent upon foreigners for their working,
being in English hands, and the machinery
used IN Spanish industry largely i'm
ported. The war changed all this, and Spain
now is proceeding to run on her own. The
industrial people have forced capital into in
vestment and have begun to modernize 8
country which the guidebooks of twenty years
ago described as the only one in the western
part of the Continent not "Europeanized."
"In this new development of SPAIN" Mr..
6o1ro
United States has a chance to benefit both
Spain and herself. The Spaniard is anxious
to trade with Americans The main hndrance
to wider trade is the Americans inability
to understand the Spanish attitude concern
ing payments. Spain's trade consequently
goes to England and Germany, because they
readily extend six months credit, whereas
Americans generally have refused to do this,
and thereby have injured Spanish pride. The
Spaniard would rather pay interest de-
ferred payments than pay spot cash."
Returning to the matter Of Seville and her
exposition, it is Conde de Urbina, her Mayor
and the honorary president of the fair, who is
considered largely responsible for the present
evidences of progress in this city, along with
the maintenance Of the city's rich heritage
of art romance and history. Mayor Conde de
Urbna is called "the artistic Mayor During
his administration, which continues indef-
nitey loan of $6,0000 coo has been eng-
neered to help extend the scope of the ex-
position, open a canal seven miles long for
large ships, construct a handsome bridge,
establish casino and golf course, improve
The streetcar lines and develop the sewage
system. Some of these things partially
accomplished, and In their fulfllment the
Mayor and his associates have utilized the
established assets Of the city, which is where
the adjective "artistic" is nerted.
To present in pageantry the length Of her
recorded life Seville would have to cover the
greater portion OF the range of H. G. Wells's
history, for this region was the Tarshish Of
the Bible, whence ancient Tyre derived her
gold and silver. Cadiz, by, which visitors
10 the exposition would see was prominent in
100 3. c., and thence the art of writing was
propagated. Our own Washington Irving long
ago made Granada point of pilgrimage for
American sightseers. Seville herself has been
the setting for successive epochs of history
and Of literature. She knew Scpo, Cato and
Trajan, Lope dc Rueda the father Of the
Spanish theater; Ceryantes, author of "Don