The San Francisco call., 1897-12-07
THE ENGLISH PRESS
UNFRIENDLY, AS USUAL

LONDON, Dec. THE Daily Tels-
graph, commenting editorially on Presi-
dent McKIniey's message this morning,
says:
1t used to be Americas proud boast that she
had no foreign policy. Judging from Pres
dent Mcklnley's message the New World is no
more free from the burdens OF diplomatic ne
gotiatlons than the Old.
In document OF pOrtentous length, m ostly
intended for spanish Consumption. President
Mckinney mas devised specious pretext for
Gaining time. 1t contains passages that Will
certainly wound Spain's national susceptible
lies.
The whole tone, though meant to be concil-
tatory, savors too much of the magistrate
availing himself of the ii st offenders act 10
be very acceptable at Madrid. Spain may not
be so thick skinned as we are to these delicate
usages OF Americas diplomatic courtesy.
Moreover. there are serious da gers OF rev.
o.uuon III Spain, and the lndiScreet adje ctives
President Mckinley applies to General Wey-
larlty Much depends upon the attitude OF
CONGRESS. If, as our correspondent thinks,
the JlngoeS acquiesce in the decision OF the
executive and give the Spaniards chance, ali
may yet be well, but recent experience does
not make US over sanguine.
The Daily Mail says ii is very satisfactory
that President Mckinley comes out SO strongly
The Daily chronicle de cribes the message
as weak and colorleSs, compared with he
vigorous handling of public questions to
says: "The explanation of this is simple. Mr..
Cleveland was in front oil Congress: Mchln-
ley is behind it. The Presidents comments on
the currency issue are positively C uiulike in
their simplicity. 1t is sale TO propaesy that
his Treatment OF the Cuban question wiu be
received with storm. The annexation of Cuba
would be depiorable mistake, but ths reas-
ons for refraining from that course are not
the milk and water ones Mr.. Mckinley ad-
vsnces."
The Morning Post, after paying a tribute to
..f n he ia q
OF domestic trouble in sending The message
at the appointed hour, says: the message
adumorales scheme OF legislative effort less
shortslghted end less calculated to set C ass
against class than the misguided policy of the
last session. On the CUBAN question the
PRESIDENT Il vague and diffuse, but studiously
correct cuban matters, however, are unim-
portdnt as compared with the grave issue S OF
lmestic affairs. The big battle of The session
VIII be fought on the ground OF home politics
and finances.
The editorial specifically praises President
Mchlnley's treatment of the currency ques-
The Times says: It's tone of patronizing to e.
ance Will make the message not wholly agree
able TO Spain. Probably the President CAL
eulates that If he can satisfy the jingoes for Il
time with eloquent denunciations and warm
ings he viii fnd it easier to purs ue a m oderate
policy. Regarding his currency proposals, IL
seems tco probable that Mr.. Mckinley still
cnngS To the notion that somethiHg may be
uone 1or siIvar. So long as he follow that will
o-the-wlsp he can hardly be expected TO at
tempt any thorough-going reform OF The cur
rency-
The Standard say: The best that can be
sald OF the message is tn at it is absolutely un-
interesting. AS distinguished politician,
the resident 4aoored under grave difficulties,
and IL is no reproach 10 his skill that ne has
islled TO surmount them. Ii Mr.. Mckinley
represents anything SO Jar il is the new tariff.
wnlch IS confessed y a pa pable failure. 1he
WHole currency plan hangs pom the cond!-
tlon oil an exchequer surplus, but when will
that happy day mrrlve? Foreign affairs are
treated teInpera iely. With regard to Cuba ne
ffesideut has taken care to -ep witnIn the
!lmlts OF International comfy and good feel
lng. with reference to h IS dec aration that
snouid America be compelled to intervene Ii
VIII only be because the necessity for sucn
action will be so clear as 10 comm and the sup
port aud approval OF tn civi lied world The
STANDARD exclalms, ''The Spanish Ministry
can sleep in peace"
The Daily News says that the message is