Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-05

friendly character, carefully designed to
avoid wounding the feelings of either
party. ana expressly based On their willing
ness 20 accept this medium of securing
continued peace AS already stated, the
Ill Outstanding in diplomatic circles here.
based on late advices. is that Spain stands
ready to accept this med ation while the
unofficial Indicators that the United
States viii not accept it.
Effect of Englnnd's Attitude.
The press dispatch from Londcn saying
that Great Britain had finally declined 20
enter the concert of the powers places
new and most important aspect on this
European movement. and one which may
finally defeat ID. 1t is known here that
Gre;a. Britain was holding out most strong
Iy against any tender OF mediation on the
ground that it would look like outside prss-
sire 10 force the hand of the United States.
The attitude of Great Britain-and this
view has been MADE known to the State
Derartment-has been that the war in
Cuba should cease in the interest OF
humanity at large. There were develop
nieIts last night. however, which indicated
that Great Britain was inclined TO join in
any concert of the powers. so that if to-
days report from Lonlcn is confirmed it
will place an entirely new phase on the
situation and will probably block, if not en-
tiItly defeat, the project of European ac-
cord.
1t is said that the British ambassador
has received no instructions in connection
with the subject Mr. Cdmbon. the French
ambassador. maintained his usual reserve
today, hut it is known that he looks for
ward to definite ard early action on the
part OF the powers. The Austrian minister,
Mr. N1n Heuvsln1liGr denied himself
all callers today, and there is the most
rigid secrecy as TO his communications
with the State Department. There wCud
be TO surprise. however, if these communi
cations We're in lire with those of Count
Dubsky, the Austrian ambassador at Mad
rid. who is in constant communication with
United States Minister Woodford.
Conference of Diplomats.
Shortly after noon today the activity of
the European powers began to be reflected
through their representatives The first
outward Indication of this was when Sir
Julian Pauncefote drove to the French en-
bassy and had conference with the
French ambassador, NJ. Cambon, whose
government has been most instrumental in
securing a concert of the powers. The call
was not of social character, but on the
contrary certain attendant circumstances
which cannot be stated left no room for
doubt that the two ambassadors We're con-
fcrring oncerning the course of their gov
ernments in connection with mediation.
There is reason to believe also that this
conference was preceded by the reception
of lengthy cable advices from the foreign
offices at London and Paris. Naturally. in
diplomatic actions of this delicate character,
the utmost secrecy prevails. When an
urgent request was made of the two am
bassadors for an indiation as to their proc
able course of action, the statement was
made that the present juncture was too
profoundly grave TO permit the slightest
public discussion of their acton. In other
diplomatic quarters it was understood that
a general meeting of the ambassadors and
ministers representing the powers would be
held. There was a general feeling IN these
quarters that whatever action WAS aiken
would have TO be taken quickly. and that
there was no further time for pourparlers
between the European capitals.
II was impossible to secure an official
verih-dtion of the London dispatch that
Great Britain had finally determined not to
enter the European concert. Even the
usual restrictions about the British en-
baSsy were redoubled. In an inferentiai
way. however. the suggestion Vas made in
high diplomatic quarters that at least two
circumstances served to show that Great
Britain was . some extent a factor in the
proposed accord Of the powers. One of
these circumstances, it was pointed out,
was the conference between Sir Julian ard
VI. Cambor. Another was the utterance OF
Mr.. Balfour, who. during the illness of
Lord Salisbury. is acting premier. made in
the house Of commons yesterday, that there
was a strcng desire upon the part of ,he
European governments to preserve peace.
ard anything we can do will be done"
This official utrerance, Ii is pointed out is
quite inconsistent with the latest Lon1on
bulletin TO the effect that Great Britain
refused TO enter the concert. While these
attendant circumstances are considered n
diplomatic quarters as throwing some light
on the character of the European move
ment. yet. already stated. official
verification or denial is obtainable as 10
reported action of Great Britain in with
drawing from the concert.