SPAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1917, Page 5

SPAIN.

THE KING INTERVIEWED. London, July 15. A Daily Express correspondent interviewed King Alfonso, who said emphatically that Spain must remain neutral to the end. unless she was attacked. The relations with Britain and France were excellent. Spain was able to supply them with material. If England would supply them with coal land the United States would send them cotton everything would be perfect. Some Spaniard* admired the pre-war reputation of the German Army, but the proGercnans were in nowise anti-Ally.

Referring to the crisis. Kins Alfonso said that Spain tfas suffering from financial indigestion and the resultant industrial unrest. The situation was complicated by the patriotic movement in the amy, which wanted to see the money voted for the army utilised in the best possible way. The army demanded that it should be modernised, 'but it was nntrne that Us discipline and loyalty had become impaired.

Another complication arose owing to the Catalonians demanding a sort of Home Rote. The Government was prepared to satisfy justHted demands from all parte of Spain, but the crisis could not be settled before the end of the war. He thought the war would last a long time. It was imposible for him to offer mediation after the recent declarations by Mr. Lloyd George and M. Ribot. The war would cause an immense upheaval in all countries and future Governments would lean towards State Socialism.

King Alfonso regretted that Spanish reformers who were formerly Tiro-Mon-archists were now on the side of the Republicans, saying he belonged to past ages, but he asked, "Is there a more modern King than I!"