Evening star., 1933-07-19
INCIDENT is THIRD CLASH.
Twice Before L. S. Has Had Difficulties
With New Spanish Republic.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

The incident caused by the arrest OF
five American citizens on the island OF
Mallorca is the third of a series Of un-
pleasant diplomatic incidents which
have occurred during the last II months
between the United States Government
and the new Spanish Republican regime.
Last year, the Spanish government
decided to take over the concession given
the International Telephone Co. of New
York on the ground that the concession
had been granted them by the govern
ment of the dethroned King Alfonso.
The Spanish government adopted
high-handed manner which called i'm
mediately fc- an intervention from the
State Department The tension was SO
great that at one time the likelihood OF
a complete severance Oh diplomatic rela-
ions between the two countries appeared
inevitable.
The Spanish government thought the
matter over. however and settlement
was reached which was satisfactory TO
both parties.
Ambassador Slighted.
Soon afterwards, another diplomatic
incident occurred. This time there
were no economic interests involved,
but merely the prestige of America
Ambassador at Madrid
Irwin B. Laughlin. the then Amer1-
can Ambassador. felt sighted at the
fact that the Speaker Of the Cortes
the Spanish Parliament). insisted on
having precedence over the American
Ambassador at the official functions OF
the new Republic; the protocol estab-
lished since time inIInemorial had ruled
that foreign Ambassadors should have
precedence over Spanish officials.
Laughlin left the dinner table at an
official function when he found he was
placed after the Spanish Speaker. For
a while again there was a question OF
the American Ambassador leaving
Madrid, but that situation was straight
ened out, too.
Finally the Mallorca incident, which
in itself should have been of no conse-
quence, has taken the proportion of
major diplomatic affair. In any other
country in the world, the five Ameri-
cans, who have been arrested because
of an overzealous and oversensitive
officer of the Guardia National, would
have been set free the very same night
of their arrest and fined by justice
of peace for having tried to interfere
with the dictatorial powers of the Span
ish police.
Bowers Takes Hand.
But things don't go that way in Spain
The four men and woman were placed
in the calaboose and would have been
forgotten there had 1t not been the
fact that they were Americans and de-
manded the protection of the consulate
for q quick and fair trial.
The Spanish government, which was
Immediately approached by Ambassador
Claude G. Bowers, had the usual alibi
that it does not like to interfere with
the authority of the local police officials
of the small island. But under the de-
mand that these citizens Immediately
be released on bail and given a fair
trial, the Spanish government decided
to move and look into the situation"
The State Department has instructed
Ambassador Bowers to act energetically.
and Acting Secretary of State William
Phillips has talked over the matter with
the Spanish Ambassador at Washing
ton, Senor Francisco de Cardenas, point
ing out to him how the dilatory methods
of Spanish justice are likely to affea.
seriously Spanish American relations.