THE WORLD WAR AND AFTER The international situation of Spain at the outbreak of war was defined by two sets of circumstances: official, and national or popular. The official situation was ruled by an agreement between Spain, France and England, made at Cartagena in 1907, and con firmed by the conversations held there in 1913 between M. Poin care and Count Romanones, which stipulated that "should new circumstances arise tending to alter the territorial status quo" in the Mediterranean or in the European and African coasts of the Atlantic, the three Powers concerned would "enter into com munication" in order to take any measures that might be neces sary. The war was obviously a "circumstance" within the limits of the above definition, yet France and England, the two Powers most interested, made no sign. Senor Dato promptly declared for an absolute neutrality. Spain was the only European nation which had no stake in the war; the nation was divided in its feelings. The working classes, most of the intellectuals and the trading communities, were pro-Ally. The clergy, most of the army and of the bureaucracy and the "idle rich," were pro German. The division cut across the parties. On one definite point everybody agreed. Spain was to keep out of the war.
A "committee of initiative" was created for the study and co ordination of efforts to deal with war problems. Parliament re sumed its sittings on Oct. 3o, 1914 and unanimously endorsed the foreign policy of the Government.
A crisis caused by difficulties in connection with the launching of a loan brought about the resignation of the Government (June 22) quickly followed by a reinstatement of the same cabinet. The situation of the Treasury was by no means flourishing. At the end of the year revenue remained at 1,202,000,000 pesetas while expenses, not including Government purchases of food stuffs, rose to 1,556,000,00o pesetas. The Government had to fall back on Treasury bonds negotiated through the Bank of Spain. Yet the work of the country was in full swing under the stimulus of war orders. Profits in shipping rose high and sink ings by German torpedo boats increased accordingly. Seiior Dato's
Government fell on a debate on the Military Reform bills (Dec. 6, 1915). The crisis ended in the formation of a united Liberal ministry under Count Romanones.
Count Romanones wore his neutrality with a difference, and did little to conceal his pro-Ally views. By Sept. 1916, Spain had lost more than 30,00o tons of shipping by torpedoing, and more than 50,00o in circumstances which were, to say the least, obscure. The shipping interests asked for Government help. On Jan. 31 Germany sent in a note establishing an "absolute block ade" of the Allied coasts. Count Romanones sent a firm answer on Feb. 6. But he realized that his firmness meant nothing unless backed with the will to fight if necessary and that public opinion would not follow him so far. He resolved to leave the Govern ment there and then, at the top of the wave of his own policy.
Committees of Defence.—In resigning (April 19) he took the easiest path. His fall, however, cost him the leadership of his party. The new ministry, under the premiership of Senor Garcia Prieto, was frankly neutralist. It had moreover to concentrate on the situation created by the so-called committees of defence. Towards the middle of 1916, a system of infantry committees of defence appeared, which soon evinced a tendency to interfere with the Government in such a manner that, towards the end of the year, Count Romanones, then in office, insisted on their dis solution. General Aguilera, the war secretary in Garcia Prieto's administration, ordered the leaders to be arrested but, probably owing to royal hints, the order was cancelled, the army officers having meanwhile faced the Government with an ultimatum (June 1). The Government resigned. Dato, called to office, capit ulated before the juntas. This victory of a movement which, in its essence, was revolutionary, stimulated the revolutionary fer ment at work in the country. Political manifestos asking for a renovation in government and constitution followed each other (Socialists June 12, Catalanists June 16, Left-Coalition June 16).