GERMAN INTRIGUE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9630, 10 April 1917, Page 3

GERMAN INTRIGUE

REVOLT IN SPAIN NATION AROUSED BV U-BOAT BLOCKADE. The revolt of Spain against Germany, who had thought she had dominated this country, is complete, reported a “Daily News” correspondent on February 17tli. Many people had feared that tiro Romanones Government was powerless to swim against tho stream. For all such tho reply to Air Wilson’s Note was a surprise. Its tone, at onco virile and judicious, caused consternation in tho German and Austrian Embassies.

Not many months ago a wireless station intercepted and decoded a telegram from Prince Ratibor, tho German Ambassador, asking his Government for a remittance of several million marks for tho purpose of founding some now journals “and turning out Romanones.” The press commented on it in no measured terms. The Prince must have sent another message, for shortly afterwards more than ono new- journal, obviously inspired by pro-German politicians, appeared both hero and at Barcelona, Saragossa, Seville, Valencia, and Bilbao. while other older papers had their subventions increased.

This campaign has, however, been as futile as it has been indefatigable. Tho nation saw what was the motive power of the manoeuvre, and, so to speak, isolated it behind a sanitary moral cordon.

A NEAY DEFENCE FORCE IN POLITICS,

Two other things have happened to checkmate Germany’s plan for the spiritual conquest of Spain-_ Tho first of these is tho foundation of the “Auti-Gerraanopbilo Xjeague.” The “Espana,” on© of the most important of tho reviews of Spain, with, a large circulation among tho most influential ,and intellectual circles, drafted a Patriotic anti-Gorman manifesto, which was signed by over 100 University professors, about 80 publicists, 20 senators and deputies, 60 painters, sculptors, and black-and-white artists, several hundred doctors, engineers, lawyers, architects, financiers, merchants, manufacturers, and landowners. In all, several thousand men of importance have joined the increment, a,nd the new league is already an active fighting force in politics.

TERRORIST CAMPAIGN,

Tho second fact is tho Note of the Central Empires on tho blockade of neutrals. Spain lives mainly by its commerce with France, Great Britain, and Italy. It has been possible to carry on th 6 export trade so far, though many Spanish ships have been sunk by German pirates, but if Germany succeeded in all her objects more than a million families of miners, fruit merchants, and wine-growers would be ruined. Tho seaports and the districts which live on the export trade are seething with indignation. The authorities arc even afraid of attacks on Gorman and Austrian, Consulates. Disorders arc. in fact, already occurring. Tho situation is grave. AH who have suffered in their interests unite in urging tho Government to set a watch on tho German and Austrian ships which have taken refugo in Spanish ports, and to intern all Germans residing along the coast and near the French, and Portuguese frontiers. On their sido the Germans and the Jaimists and all who place hatred of the Allies above love of thoir country are preparing a campaign of terrorism. They are, it is said, purchasing arms and dynamite, and are, threatening the Railways which lead to France and Portugal. _