SPAIN AND HER HUNS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1917, Page 4

SPAIN AND HER HUNS.

“TAKWff fSEIR MEASURE.”

(From Hamilton.Fyfe.j

Madrid, March 26

The correspondent of a leading Spanish newspaper wlio is with the German Army on the western front reports this morning a conversation with the Crown Prince, who said to him : “ I am very fond of yonr King Alfonso ; he is the only friend we have.”

It is a pity tlie Cro ■ n Prince does not prove his affection by putting a stop to the activities of the German agents in Spain, who are doing all they can to make trouble for King Alfonso and his Government and the people. Daring tlie last: few 1 days the effect of the war upon Spain has appeared to he more marked than in any previous period. How much this appearance is due to real difficnl ies and how nincli to German machinations is hard to decide exactly. Tlie threat of a general strike, provoked ostensibly by the increasing dearness of provisions, is shrewdly suspected to lifive been etigifieered by agitators in

German pay. In some districts there is certainly disli’ess, especially in oraiige-growing regious. The submarine campaign made it difficult for tlie orange growers to sliip their produce. Next week I shall visit these regions and see for myself what is tlie condition of the people. By all, accounts they are suffering. The prices of provisions are not so high as in France and England, dnd are low in comparison with those which rule in some otfibr countries, both neutral and belligerent. But the Spanish inasseS earn very little juul have no margin of income to lii feet tiny increase iti tlie cost of lb irig. There is difficulty in buying coal. Meat has become scarce dfirhig the., last few days, even in Mitdri.l. Next week a royal decree will lix prices and weights for bread. The Labour Party in Barcelona are in favour of demanding “either that the necessaries of life' shall not cost more than they did before the war or else a general increase, in wages proportionate to the rise iu prices.” HUN STRIKE PI.OTS. Clearly one must sympathise with the large numbers of workpeople who are “'finding it difficult co live. Evidentl}* the Government will have to do everything possible to lighten their burden. But the best friends of the masses are altogether opposed to the notion that striking will do any good. Indeed, they go farther : they say that the suggestion of a general strike was put about by enemies of the country. The chief organ of progress ill Spain, HI Liberal, declares in a leading article to-day that the movement has been fomented by those who put party interests above national interests. \ It is satisfactory to know that, the Prime Minister, Count Romaiiones, is wide awake to the iieeds of tlie moment and'determined to take measures to meet the difficulties through which the country is pass ing. “Up to now,” Count. Romauones said to me yesterday, “ Spain has suffered less than Any other, neutral country from the effects of the war. Now the heed is for careful economy and sacrifice.. must reduce our luxurious ways of living. Nothing very drastic is needed ; it will be enough if we return to the habits of, say, 20 years ago.” KEEPING SHIPS TO PUT OUT. Happily, there is good hope that Spain’s difficulties will be lighten ed. The submarine menace has not had the effect which was feared at first. The number of ships entering and leaving Spanish ports is increasing daily. This morning new arrangements for State insurance of ships and crews were published. These will surely have the good effect of inducing more vessels to put to sea.

If during the next few days danger of labour trouble on a vast scale can be averted, which at present seems likely, the dark cloud now hanging over the country will be blown away. It is obviously to the interests of Germany to make trouble everywhere, but the Spaniards seem to have taken the measure of the German agents who have been busying themselves here. The discovery in Barcelona iof a secret explosives factory will not make their task any easier. Propa - ganda by means of boiiibs is not a method likely to be popular in Spain.