The herald., 1898-04-21
ENGLAND OPPOSES WAR
BUT SYMPATHIZES HEARTILY
WITH AMERICA
SPANISH STRATEGIC ABILITY
Does Not Strike the Experts as Being
Just the Kind Needed at This
Juncture
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated PreSS special wire
NEW YORK, April 2O.-The impending
war is the sole topic of conversation here.
says the London correspondent of the
World.
To whatever complex motive it may be
due, the undeniable fact Is that English
feeling has been dead against war. John
Burns last night said emphatically: "T
am firmly convinced that even at the
eleventh hour war could be averted If
Great Britain used her influence with the
continental powers to bring pressure which
might be made irresistible on Spain to
grant concessions which would satisfy
America.
my sympathies are with the United
States. but I am totally opposed to war,
though I can understand and appreciate
the feeling for Cuba by the American
people,"
Sir John Colombo, a Conservative mem
ber of Parliament and retired naval Off
Ger. author of many important works on
naval questions, said: II am very doubt
full of the strategic knowledge and ability
of the Spanish naval commanders. They
are brave men and good navigators, but
I should not be surprised II their strategy
proves entirely defective, as don't think
they have had any training.
"By the latest reports they have locked
up their fleet at Cape Verde, but fancy
they have not been quite so foolish as
that and their ships will next be heard of
good deal westward of those islands.
'"They must know that Americas plan
Of campaign will be to deliver an attack
on Cuba within twenty-four hours after
the declaration of war.
IT don't believe the United States navy
will operate so far away as the Canaries,
and can't think it would be good tactics
for them to do so.''
Capt. Philpots, a member Of parliament,
and retired naval officer who served
with distinction, said: "It is difficult to
form an opinion Of the strategic plans of
Spain's naval commanders.
"On the data available I don't believe
their concentration at Cape Verde has any
other object than awaiting favorable
weather to convey a torpedo fiotilla across
the Atlantic
sit Is a very ticklish job to get torpedo
destroyers across and we are now just at
the end Of the equinoctial gales. But be-
lieve they will be heard Of off Cuba one
of these mornings
IT served in the West Indies and I know
Cuba, and my opinion is that by far the
most formidable antagonist the United
States is likely to encounter is yellow
fever"
William Allen, M. p, said: under new
conditions naval warfare will be the de-
cid 'ng factor. in my opinion-not seaman
ship, but Steamship,
NAVAL captains who don't thoroughly
understand the machinery Of their Ships
will come Off badly in future naval eIgages
mentS.' .+..f ) -..a
Mr.. Dalziel said last night that he.had
handed; in notice Of the following Question
for Thursday to Arthur Balfour, leader
Of the House of Commons: y
Whether he is aware that TIE torpedo
gunboat Audaz, the property Of the Span
ish government. is now undergoing repairs
at the docks in Cork, and whether instruc-
tions will Immediately be issued to the
customs authorities that in the event of
war being declared before repairs are
complete she shall be detained"
The British government may be trusted
to take effectual measures to prevent q
repetition of the Alabama affair.