The herald., 1896-12-27
Politicians Interested in the
Cuban Situations
GOOD OFFICES OF ENGLAND
May Be Offered to Avert War With The
United States
Spain's Best Friend Is He Who Induces
Her to Arrange Matters Before
It II Too Late.
Associated Press Special wire

The attitude of the United States to-
ward Cuba continues to be the most en-
crossing subject Of discussion in politi-
cal circles here and on the continent.
The crisis has revived recollections III
Paris of the ill-fated Mexican expedi-
ton. and interviews In this connection
with the Imperialist generals. Barsil and
Gallifet Mons. Emile Olivier and others
have appeared in the French press. Ex-
Queen Isabella of Spain Is quoted as
having expressed the belief that the
ideal of Napoleon III. was the union OF
the Latin element as a counterpoise to
the immense spread OF Anglo-Saxon in
nuence. Her ma jesty is reported to have
said: 1.-The failure Of the Mexican ex-
pedition personally disquieted me in the
direction of Cuba, and you may add
that tentative negotiations for the pur-
chase Of Cuba began before my abdica-
tion, and revived at the moment when
Spain was crippled and harassed by in
ternational struggles"
The leading London weeklies devote
much space to the Cuban situation, and
the Statist thinks there is very little pros
sert her authority in Cuba, and urges
Great. Britain, with or without the con-
sent of some of the great European
powers, to offer her good offices to the
United States and Spain.
The Statist attaches very little import
ance to the general continental objec-
ton that the United States right to
interfere would be dangerous to every
European governments possessions in
America" and says: "Unless one or
more of the powers are prepared to for
chilly oppose American Intervention, q
mere verbal objection will not carry
weight In case of war, Spain will be
absolutely ruined in the end. The best
friend of Spain is he who tries to in
duce her to come to some agreement in
time"
The continent has been provoked by
the feeling shown at the London county
councils recent meeting, when the
chairman of the public works commit
tee suggested that tenders for new fire
engines be invited from America. The
proposal was received with howl of
disapproval, showing that made in
America" is apparently regarded by the
members of the council with equal aver
sion as made in Germany"
1t is understood that Joseph Cham
berlain, secretary for the colonies, has
arrived at an important agreement re-
garding the part which the colonies are
to play in the celebration next year of
length that of any other English sover-
the queens reign, having exceeded In
length that Of any other English sover-
eign, and he will make statement on the
subject in the house of commons early
in the coming session. 1r
It Is stated In Canadian circles that
the proposal of the Toronto Navy league,
that the royal navy be recruited from
colonial as well as home seamen, has
been coolly received by the imperial
authorities. Naval experts are credited
with seeing many difficulties in carrying
out the scheme and, according to the
Manchester Guardian, they are doubtful
of the alleged abundance of good mate
rial in the colonies. Even in the case
of the seafaring population of New
fundland. 1t is not thought that the
colony would yield the class of men
needed for the navy, while in the other
colonies it is said the men likely to VOL
unteer would be of very Indifferent
stuff.
United States Ambassador Bayard
spent Christmas at Lord Middleton's
seat, Bardsell house, Yorkshire.
1t is announced, as a result of con-
ference between the Belgian minister of
marine and the company which has
make Brussels seaport that work
on the proposed new water route to
the Belgian capital will be commenced
early in 1897
The dispute between the Canadian
government and Prince Sciarra, re-
specting the latter's right of sending out
Italian masterpieces of his art gallery
has been finally settled. A sensation
was caused some time ago by the prince
Htcnnctnp n inn, to ~
paintings. According to the new agree
ment, the prince presents the nation
with about dozen chefs d'oeuvre, and
in return the embargo placed upon the
sales of others will be removed.
Christmas day here was sunshiny and
was quietly spent. Many Of the old Gus
toms were followed out in the true spir-
1t of the English Christmas. At Queens
college, Oxford tine ancient ceremony
of bringing In the boar's head was SOL
emnly gone through in the presence Of
the university deans. At Rochester six
poor travellers enjoyed the Watts chars
ity. in the shape of good, old fashioned
dinner and a present Of fourpence. In
Liverpool 10000 hot pots were given to
the poor, and the impoverished people
of this oity were we'll cared for through
thousands of free breakfasts, dinners,
ETC., In many parts of the metropolis.
In the London workhouse 1N .353 paupers
enjoyed the Christmas celebration, par
ticularly the beer and tobacco features.
and 1862 hospital patients were made
as comfortable as possible under the
circumstances
1t develops that Robert Crackenthorpe.
the author who mysteriously disap-
peared in Paris during the month of
October. and whose body has been
found in the River Seine, committed
suicide in an excess of frenzy after re-
ceiving letter from his wife announc-
ing her intention of commencing di-
vorce proceedings. 1t is believed that
he jumped into the Seine from the Pont
Concorde, after wandering all night in
the Champs Elysee. The London news
papers say that he was lately much in
company with the wife of leading
London actor. The titles Of some of his
works, A Dead Woman, The Struggle
for Life, etc, would seem to indicate
that he was Of a morbid turn of mind.
Another action for breach of promise
will occupy the attention of the law
courts at the next session, providing
the affair IL not settled out Of court.
The plaintiff in the case Is Miss Mabel
Duncan. an aetrA&D nov eppoaxin9 a.