SPAIN ROUSED.

Evening Star, Issue 16092, 18 April 1916, Page 3

SPAIN ROUSED.

SHORTAGE OF TONNAGE TELLS,

SEIZURES NOT IMPROBABLE,

London 'Times' and Sydney 'Sun' Services,

LONDON, April 16. ' The Times's' correspondent at Madrid says that the war has been brought home to Spain in the most direct fashion. Previous incidents such as the shooting of Spaniards in Belgium have been smoothed over by regrets and indemnity, but the Government and public opinion have been thoroughly roused by the death of Senor Gmnados in the Sussex and by tho sinking of the Viga and Ban Tandarino. Hitherto the Spaniards have welcomed German prisoners and have given German propagandas the fullest liberty, and have been completely neutral. Now a section of the Liberal Press hotly resents the insult to the national flag, and is demanding that the Government vindicato the dignity and rights of Spain. This seems to be the predominant feeling in the country.

Twelve of the chief shipping companies have sent a memorial to the Government threatening to stop their sailings unites they receive a guarantee against the submarining of their vessels. Already there is a shortage of tonnage, and any further reduction will mean that there will In widespread distress and probably grave disorder.

The German Ambassador at Madrid has formally denied that tho Sussex was torpedoed.

Count Romanones (the Premier) may be entrusted to insist upon a solution consistent with the country's dignity. The means are available, there "being 60,000 German subjects in Spain and a splendid Austro-German mercantile fleet, totalling 200,000 tons, sheltering in her ports.