Evening journal., 1897-11-15
ELOQUENT SILENCE.
Significance Of What London
Papers Are Not Saying.
ANENT THE VISIT OF SIR WILFRID.
Premier Laurier's Presence and IDfiu-
ence In Washington Quiet the Eng
lish Press carPings at American
Diplonacy-WaitingF For a Tip.

LONDON, Nov. 15.-The silence OF |
the English press respecting Sir VIII |
frid Lauriers mission is eloquent. |
President Mckinley is not reproached |
for being an arch protectionist, nor Is
Secretary Sherman taunted with hav-
ing affronted the dignity of British dl-
plomacy, nor General Foster condemn
ed for his aggressive method of con-
ducting the Bering sea negotiations.
The Times has refrained for a whole
week from referring to any American
proposal as either impudent' or i'm
pertinent" The reticence and self re-
straint OF the other English journals
are equally impressive. Reports that
the Canadian premier will endeavor to
settle the seal question, negotiate new
reciprocity treaty and adjust numerous
other controversies are repeated in
special dispatches. but are not dis
cussed. His presence in Washington
exerts a deterrent effect upon English
criticism Of American diplomatic meth
DDS and policies, because his power is
recognized.
If Sir Wilfrid has exercised at OF
tawa the privilege of directing Lord
Salisbury's course in the sealing dis
pute, he Is even more powerful at
HEnlnElOnt
control British diplomacy on American
questions. English journals do not like
to confess that his influence is supreme
and that the foreign Office is compelled
to follow him, so they remain silent,
waiting for the cues which will come
from his success or failure in arrang-
ing new modus vivendi in Bering sea
or a practical reciprocity agreement
/ ttriat tfI, hax fa2
suits than the differential tariff for the
benefit of British manufactures. Their
silence is eloquent because it reveals
the truth that the state department
must negotiate directly with Canada in
/ Anglo-American diplomacy. Laurier at
| ottawa may have a veto power over
the policies of the foreign Office, but
| whatever he does in Washington will
be sanctioned by Mr.. Chamberlain and
Lord Salisbury.
The Cuban question has again fallen
into the background of English discus
sion. The opinion which now prevails
in diplomatic circles here is that Pres
ident Mckinley is not anxious to force
| this question aggressively upon the
Madrid government and that Minister
Woodford has been instructed to act
cautiously and judiciously. Diploma
lists believe that the logic Of the situa-
tlon points to the conclusion that Senor
| Sagasta will be allowed a full opportu-
! nifty to experiment with a conciiatory
policy ana find out whether anything
will come Of il. President Mckinley is
credited with a thoroughly pacific policy
which will enable the United States to
reap the full benefit of the revival of
business and the restoration of pros
perity.
Lord Salisbury's speech at the Guild
han was like q rainfall after a long
drought for the continental press. but
Il was merely a passing shower of misty
words. He would, indeed. have had
nothing whatever to say If Mr.. Rltchis
had not labored strenuously and ena-
bed him to announce a conference in
the engineering lockout and strike. Six
William Vernon Harcourt and Mr.
Chamberlain. the two fighting men in
English politics, have been writing sar-
castle letters, and Mr.. Asquith Sii
Charles Dixie. Lord George Eamiltor
and other leaders have been making
speeches. But even with the cabinet
meeting to consider measures for tn,
approaching session. public affairs are
stagnant.