The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-20
SPAIN ANGLES FOR
EUROPE'S HELP
Wants the Powers to Protect II From
the Aggrcssions Of America.
TANNING THE HOSTILE FEELING
Willy Efforts Being Made to Arouse
the Animosities of the Powers
Against the United States..Overt
Help Not Likely,

London, May 19.-Hints have been
dropped here that the Canovas minis
try at Madrid Is slyly attempting to
arouse European animosity toward the
United States. 1t is said that the for
eign office at Vienna is party to the
deep scheme and that the powers first
approached are the members Of the
triple alliance. When 1t Is remembered
that the queen regent of Spain Ii an
Austrian arehduchess. 1t can be easily
understood why Francis Joseph and
his government should take a lively in
terest in the desperate affairs OF the
peninsula. The tone of the European
press generally would tend to support
the genuirensss Of these rumors. Ed
itors in Russia, France and Germany
savagely denounce the attitude OF
America in regard to Cuba, and de-
clare unequivocally that Uncle Sam Is
tramping about with a chip on his
shoulder eager for some one to knock
1t off, and thus invite conflict.
DISLIKE OUR COURSE.
1t is not clear, however. what Canovas
intends to gain by appealing to the
powers, for it Is not considered prob
able that one OF them would, In the
present circumstances. interpose with
reference to the United States. Thus
far the latter country has conhned
itself to safeguarding its citizens and
it's commerce under treaty stipuiatlons
and these, under international law. are
not overt acts Of hostility to the Span-
ish crown. 80
While 1t is true that American states
men and members of congress have bit
terly denounced Spanish rule and domi-
nation in Cuba, the government Itself
has carefully refrained from going on
record as evincing a hostile spirit t"
the Spanish crown and to its rights In
Cuba. Diplomats here point signiti-
cantly to the fact that, while the Unit
ed States IL demanding and Insisting
upon its complete treaty rights on the
island. it is itself ignoring or conniv-
ing at open breaches Of conventions.
These diplomats assert that not suf-
ficient care Is taken to prevent the de-
partue Of filibustering expeditions
and that even when arrests of filibus-
ters are made, juries In the federal
courts do not hesitate speedily to give
them liberty. This phase Of the case
is having the effect throughout Europe
Of embittering public feeling toward
America, and tories and monarchists
in all the nations are doing their ut
most to foster this spirit of animosity
to the western republic, believing that
should Cuba gain Its freedom. 1t would
have the effect of further fomentlng
and strengthening the socialist and
radical propaganda In Europe.
POSSIBLE PROCEDURE.
1t Is the belief here that in case the
United States government openly de-
clares for the Cubans some steps will be
taken by the powers to show their SYM
pathy for Spain. 1t is not. however.
believed that that sympathy will take
the hostile direction of offering military
aid to engage In a combat with the
United States. But SO many oppor-
tunities exist for testing American citi-
zenship in Italy, Austria and Germany
for the reason that many naturalized
| citizens visit these countries at various
times, that steps might be taken in that
peculiar manner to exasperate the Unit
ed states and to pave the way for a
rupture of the alleged friendly relations
at present existing. The plan Is to d.
vert II }attention of the United States
| from Coba. If the Washington govern.
ment could be embrOiled with the other
powers In some sinister way the fierce
war feeling at present existing in Amer
lea would not, 1t is said, be so menacing
to the Spanish crown.