The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-18
Austria. Germany. and Spain.

There has been considerable speculation
in this country recently regarding the atti-
tude of European powers to American in.
Prevention in Cuba. From time to time the
cable dispatches from Europe have repre-
sented Austria and Germany as eager to
help Spain to repel the efforts of the Wash
ington Government to restore peace in the
West Indies. 1t was said that Austria was
moved by her solicitude for the Queen Re-
gent of Spain, who is an Austrian Arch
duchess, and Germany by her devotion to
monarchical institutions, which would be
shaken severely by the separation of Cuba
from Spain and the Spanish revolution
likely to result from the same.
A careful reading of the Austrian and
German newspapers, inspired and unin.
spired, has failed to reveal in the last six
months any prospect Of Austrian or Ger
man action in behalf of Spain and against
the United States. Even those journals
which commonly are used by the Ball
Platz and the Wilhelm Strasse to axe
~soundings for a new policy have failed to
give n hint of special diplomatic action in
SPANS behalf. In fact, they all nave main
tanned n tone far friendlier to the United
States than has any newspaper of influence
in London. The Norddeutsche Allgemeine
Zeitung, the organ of the German Foreign
Office, discussed in it's last leader regarding
Cuba the so-called ultimatum said to have
been delivered by Gen. WooDFoRD to the
Dukeo of Tetuan. Every word was carefully
measured and moderate.
"With assured diplomatic tact" wrote
the semi-official editor, "Gen. WooDFoRD
selected that cause of complaint which
could be proved most clearly and could not
be denied, even by the Spaniards. The
North American capitalists who nave in.
vested their money in Cuban enterprises,
the United States citizens who own plan.
tations on the island or carry on trade with
1t, have suffered enormous losses since the
beginning of the war. These losses can be
stated and proved in figures. For instance,
the American export to Cuba has fallen
off 20 per cent"
In South Germany the Munich AUgemcine
ZettunG is the stanchest supporter of a
vigorous foreign policy and an unwearying
advocate of German colonial aggression.
When not speaking for the German Foreign
Office it expresses the sentiments of the BIS.
MARCKS. Alone among the great German
dailics it has dealt with the possibility of
European intervention, in view of the al.
legged ultimatum, and then only to state
this conclusion:
but the European concert would find
itself in n far more difficult position to.
ward the North American Union thar it
ccupied toward Greece and Turkey, and
the concert would be far more difficult to
maintain. The inclination to fish in trou.
bled waters and 10 obtain individual adj.
vantages would be simply irresistible in
certain quarters"
Less influential newspapers have limited
themselves to remarking that Cuba is lost
to Spain. Spain is about to suffer the
consequences Of her own stubbornncss," said
the B"i3inCr /eitunO two weeks ago, land
TO bear the burden of her statesmcn's in.
competence. Cuba, that lordly possession,
is about to be separated from the kingdom"
Any European power that might feel like
intervening, said the National Zcitung,
should recall the fate of MAMMALIAN.
These German opinions are typical. They
indicate the attitude of the Foreign Office,
and every great party in German politics,
except the Social Democracy.
The same observations hold good as re-
CARDS the attitude of Austria coward the
Cuban complications. In the present des.
perate condition of Austria's internal poll
tics, it probably would be difficult to find
an Austrian statesman who has given
enough thought to the Cuban question to
discuss it even incidentally. The Frem.
dcabfaH, which reflects periodically the
opinions held at the Ball.Platz, has
barely mentioned the negotiations between
Spain and the United States, and then in