Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-04-09

'oNth IL IL lelJ thHt IL VIII be an I'M
porant factor in the situation
1t has been expected that France would
be the first to act by tender of her
good Offices Up to tonight, however, the
French ambassador, NJ. Cambon. had re-
celVed no instructions on this line There
Is the same anticipation but lack of def
mite action in Great Britain. Germany
and other diplomatic quarters. 1t is prob
able that mediation would take denfnite
form If the foreign representatives were
convinced that war was inevitable and
about to be declared. While they look
upon the situation as grave, the general
sentiment among them is that the matter
has not yet progressed beyond the range
of diplomacy and a pacific solution For
that reason there was strong mclina-
ton shown today to wait until the pres
idents message was sent to congress- the
feeling being that the real issue could not
be determined until the message had been
submitted.
At the outset Spain was most earnest
for mediation, and to this end addressed
Il note to the powers about 10 days ago.
Now, however, as the prospects for medi-
alton appears to be growing, the Spanish
authorities seem to be less inclined to
ward this course, This may be due to
the fact that Spain had looked on media
ton as an indirect form of intervention of
the European powers i'll favor of one of
their own number. The Spanish note
developed, however, that the powers were
not ready for any such radical step.
France made the first declarations
through Premier HanotauX, in the
French chamber, that France would
treat both parties alike as friends. This
was an unexpected reverse for Spain, as
she had felt that French ownership of
Martinique, Guadalupe and other islands
would incline her to sympathy with
Spain in defending her sovereignty over
Cuba.
1t was stated by one of the ambassa-
doris today that any move in the form of
mediation would first assume form by an
exchange of notes among the European
powers, which could be done speedily by
telegraph in case of a war crisis seeming
at hand. In such event the general un-
derstanding among the diplomats here is
that Great Britain France, Germany and
Austria would be consulted, as their com
mercial interests would be seriously Grip
pied by war between the United States
and Spain. While Russia and Italy also
might be consulted owing to their inilu-
ence in European affairs, yet their imme-
date interest in the Spanish American
conflict would be far less than that OF
the other countries mentioned.
1t is probable that negotiations will be
opened by this government with Denmark
10 allow cable messages to come over the
French line from the Danish island Of st
Thomas to the United States. With the
Leeward islands, Of which st. Thomas i.
center. as the probable center of an,
naval operations which may result from
the present crisis, it is recognized as OF
vast importance to secure facilities nor
controlled by Spain.
Bernabe'S Busy Day.
Senior BeInabe, the Spanish minister
and his staff had a busy Sunday, al
though it did not bring any developments
changing the situation. His last official
exchange with the authorities was on last
Friday. after SPANS answer had been
received since which time negotiations
have been at a halt. This, however, has
not lessened the Spanish minister's ac-
tiyity in keeping his government fully
apprised as to the general aspect of at
fairs in this country. The elaborate man
ner in which this cable intelligence has
gone to the authorities at Madrid is prob
ably without parallel. 1t is understood
that when the situation began to assume
its most serious aspect single cable dis
patch sent by the minister to the foreign
office cost $1,000. Another dispatch cost
500 and another $500. I'm this way
Madrid authorities are kept in close
touch with the condition of affairs, not
only as it relates to official negotiations
but more particularly to those circum-
stances which will permit the Madrid
government to gauge the situation at
Washington.
Secretary Sherman gave a dinner last
night at which the Spanish minister was
one of the guests. Senator Lodge of the
senate committee on foreign affairs and
Colonel Fred Grant OF New York were
also among those present. The presence
of the Spanish minister at the home of
the secretary of state was void of sig
nifcance, except as showing the pacific
outward appearance Of affairs, Being
purely social gathering, the Spanish
situation was not alluded to.
There was comparative quiet about the
White house and the departments to-
day. The members Of the cabinet did not