The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1916. THE SYMPATHIES OF SPAIN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 31, 11 May 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1916. THE SYMPATHIES OF SPAIN.

From the Gibraltar correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette one learns that I there has been a strong pro-German feeling in many parts of Spain ever since the war began. Indeed, it has been said that the only Spaniards who sincerely Imped for a victory for the Allies were the old nobility and the very poorest classes of the nation, who somehow have got to know the Germans and distrust them deeply. A lal'gc proportion of the upper classes and the officers of both Navy and Army were distinctly pro-German, and for various and complex reasons. The Clerical party has had, it is stated, much to say on the subject owing to the unfortunate events of a few years ago in France, which naturally raised their apprehensions, whilst the middle classes were almost entirely pro-Ger-man. In Spain, as elsewhere, Germany lost no chance of poisoning the mind of the nation against England. Newspapers were and are. subsidised from Berlin; in Madrid and in all the principal towns these paid agents proclaim Germany’s certain ultimate success and victory over the nations opposing the curse of German militarism, while they magnify* Him advantages and unscrupulously explain away defeats and set-backs. One German newspaper publishes a special edition entirely in Spanish, which is scut gratis to every hotel of repute in King Alfonso’s dominion, and specially prepaid news to mislead the Spanish 'people is served up. Under these circumstances it is easy to understand German Wilhelm’s recently expressed desire that the King of Spain act as

arbitrator on the submarine question. As an example of the German lies served out to Spain, one issue nl the special edition above reierml to contains a “scientific prool” that the Fnglish use dum-dum bullets. and gives numerous photographs of bullet prepared to expand, and radiographs of the awful wounds they have mflieted on the loag-snliering and penile Him. And so the game goes merrily on. the lies get a good start, and

! there is nobody in Spam, who, on behalf of the Entente can expose and refute thorn. After hi teen months 01 I this sort of thing, aided and abetted ! by the mass of mendacious literature ' which lias been disseminated all over . the country, it would seem reasonable i to expect that the anti-English feeling would have grown. Such, however, it is affirmed, is happily not’-the case. Pur, without Question, whatever may be the cause, there has latterly .been a distinct diminution among tiio mass of the people ol their pro-Ger-man views and a corresponding sol telling of their anti-English feeling. Somehow it has recently upon the Spanish that a victory lor tiermany would be by no means so pleasant an ouilook for them as they were at first led to believe, and that it might even entail far-reaching consequences of the most unpleasant ' nature. Hence the change. The Spaniards are beginning to realise that the friendship and support of England are more tangible assets than are German promises.