Friday, 4 December 2015

Poem ~ Divided Spanish Neutrality - Saturday, 4 December 1915


Source: File: King Alfonso XIII of Spain. jpeg, [online] Available at: <http://www.unofficialroyalty.com/king-alfonso-xiii-of-spain/>[Accessed: 4 December 2015].

With little or no prior mention forthwith,
Came indication of Spain's ongoing status,
In speech by Prime minister Señor Dato,
The Country’s Prime minster since 1913.

With variety of stories having emerged
In the height of summer, to divide party's
Of Spanish politicians - under Dato the
Followers of neutral conservatives varied.

Partisans and government members
Sided with allied sides, having shared
Ideals of a communality - rather than
With Germany's policy of invasions.

The liberal party Dato had ousted,
Led by Count Romanones, had been
Against imperialism - to err on side
Of caution and to favour neutrality.

Divisions also lay in the Spanish
Army - General Echague, minster
Of war, forbid public military talking
Over Europe’s war, in clubs or cafes.

The army youth admired German
Emperor, while the mature officers
Sided with France and English ally -
Yet Belgium sympathy dominated.

A June Spanish crisis had seen
Oppositions, between Government
And army, with cabinet resignation
To call a purge within military abuses.

Don Eduardo Dato had then formed
A cabinet, while the prime minister
Refused to provide a resignation, yet
King Alfonso called for Señor Dato.

Onto December 1915; then respectful
Speech over Spanish neutrality, by
Lord Cecil, prompted positive reactions
Across the pro-ally Spanish press.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915 Britain and Spain - Feeling in Madrid. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 4 December. P.10. Col.5. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12025612/Daily-Telegraph-December-4-1915.html [Accessed: 4 December 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 4 December 2015). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Spain

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