NEUTRAL STATES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17879, 27 August 1918, Page 5

NEUTRAL STATES.

GERMANY AND HOLLAND

THE KONINGIN REGENTES, Reuter's Teiegruoaa.

THE HAGUE, August 24,

Thq Dutch Shipping UouuoAs finding in tno inquiry regarding tne of tiio Konmgin Regentes was that it was caused hy a turpeao. Tile i>utcn Government asks Germany to reopen a thorough inquiry, seeing that uerniauy does not recognise die immunity of hospital ships. Britain lias assured jdoiiaua that no Antisfi torpedo was fired.

THE # SPANISH PROTECT

GERMANY’S REPLY. COPENHAGEN, August 24,

Germany's reply to Spam declares that the seizure of snipping might sever good relations.-Germany is ready to consider limiting torpedoings outside danger zones, but she cannot give any guarantee on that point, or treat Spain in an exceptional way. Germany cannot abandon the submarine war, which is such a valuable weapon, but hopes Spain will remain neutral.

(Received August 27, 12.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, August 25. “ Vorwaerts ” is greatly concerned at the strained relations with Spain, and urges the Government to prevent Spain joining Germany’s enem.es, so com-pleting-the world ? s coalition against her.

GERMANY UNEASY. (Received August 27, 2.5 a.m.) LONDON, August 26

The “Daily Chronicle’s” Amsterdam correspondent states that the GermanSpamsh relations seem to be causing muon uneasiness in Germany. It is staled in reliable quarters that the Situation is regarded as niost serious. The German reply is couched in much stronger terms than the semi-official announcement suggested. Most of the newspapers endeavour to conciliate Spanish feeling, blaming Enten.e propaganda, and payiug compliments to “ knightly Spain,” telling Spain that she was always fond of Germany, but an undercurrent of anxiety is plainly noticeable. The “ V'ossische Zeitung ” points out that if Spain breaks off relations she will carry Spanish South America with her, notably tho Argentine and Cnili, which would involvo an irreparable economic loss. The German Government’s greatest ifoar, apparently, is that submission to Spain will create a precedent, of which tbe northern neutrals will miickly take advantage.