The tension between Germany and Spain still continues. Even if
the Sovereigns are agreed, Prince Bismarck is most unwilling to give up his claims, merely because they are un- acceptable to Spain ; while Spain holds her rights so clear, that the people are unwilling to submit either to arbitration or to a European Conference. Negotiations are, therefore, proceed- ing; and while Spain buys ships, Germany orders her Captains abroad to keep their squadrons together, and the German Minister in Morocco is summoned to confer with the Chancellor. The idea of this last move appears to be that the Chancellor suspects King Alphonso's Government of bribing France to support her with great concessions in Morocco, which France has been hankering for for some time past. This, however, would be pushing suspicion rather far. France cannot support Spain strongly without incurring German enmity, and Spain is not the kind of ally who would induce French statesmen to abandon their policy of reserve. The Spanish Army is a good one; but what France wants is an ally who could and would invade Germany when she did.
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