Evening star., 1898-04-06
Terms Of a Joint Note in the In
terests Of Peace.
CONFERENCE At BRITISH EMBASSY
To Defer a War Crisis for q
Few Days.
RErIcENcE OF DIPLOMATS

It was learned from a reliable diplomatic
ministers of the great powers of Europe
stationed in Washington, and representing
Great Britain, Germany, France, Austria
and Italy, at a meeting at the British en-
bassy at o'clock yesterday afternoon,
agreed upon the substantial terms Of q
Joint note, rendering the good offics Of the
powers to avert war between the United
States and Spain.
So far as can be learned the note has not
yet been presented, and it is understood
that its presentation depends upon the Sc
riousness of the situation as developed
within the next few hours. On the same
reliable authority, 1t is said that the actual
text of the note was to some extent agreed
upon, II, indeed, 1t was not mads up in it's
entirety. 1t is said not to contain the word
mediation" but in more diplomatic terms,
and in the most friendly spirit, suggests
the good offices of the powers.
1t Is understood also that the main pur-
pose of this concerted action Is to tempo
rarily defer war crisis for at least a few
days, during which more mature action
may be shaped. This reported action by
the powers is entirely distinct from such
steps as Pope Leo may be taking toward
the same general end.
Cautious and Secret.
The course of the ambassadors and min
listers and their movements within the last
twenty-four hours have been surrounded
with uncommon measures of caution and
secrecy. It is a care which diplonatists
know how to exercise with even greater
rigor than other officials. It was known
last night that a meeting was held at the
British embassy late yesterday afternoon,
hut all those participating were so rigidly
silent and exclusive after it had occurred
that no hint escaped as to its purport, be-
yond the inference that it concerned the
critical condition of Spanish-American at
fairs. 1t was not until today, however,
that it became known to those having ac-
cess to inner diplomatic circles that the
discussion at the embassy took a much
more definite line than had been under
Stood and that the course Of procedure, as
we'll as Its form, was not only discussed,
but largely, If not wholly. framed. OF
course. any such action could be taken only
as a result of instructors from the several
foreign offices of Europe, SO that 1t appears
to be established that the course of the
powers on the other side of the Atlantic
has been agreed upon, and that the mode
and time Of its execution are now commit
ted to the ambassadors and ministers at
Washington.
Reticence of Diplomats.
There was the same complete reticence in
all diplomatic quarters this morning, and
such action as may have been taken yes
terday was not followed by any further
conferences of concerted moves during the
early part Of today. For the time being
the ambassadors and ministers were turn
Ing their attention to the Capitol, and were
awaiting with deep interest the Presidents
message and its effect upon Congress. Most
of the foreign establishments were deserted
by IL o'clock, in order to gain advantageous
positions in the diplomatic gallery in the
Senate and House. The British ambassa-
dor started for the Capitol shortly before
noon, and was followed by practically the
entire staff of the embassy. The French
ambassador and his staff were among the
few who did not go to the Capitol.
At Spanish Legation.
The Spanish minister. Senior Polo, re-
mained at the legation during the morning
and received a number of visitors. The
situation had not changed, SO far as he was
concerned. and while continuing to express
his friends that he was conscious of the
extreme gravity of the situation. Notwith-
standing this. he is proceeding as though
affairs were in their customary channel,
and to his friends he pointed out that the
legation presented no evidence of expected
change. Of packing, or of preparation for
departure.
Apparently Conflicting Reports.
Today's press dispatches from London,
stating on high authority that the British
had assured the United States
Of it's fullest and most cordial sympathy in
its Cuban policy. appear to bear out yes
terday's London advices that Great Britain
had declined to act with the powers. 1t Is
Impossible to reconcile this with the meet
ing at the British embassy yesterday after
room, and the reported definite line of ac-
ton discussed. The British ambassador
through one Of his secretaries. Mr.. Tower
sent word in response to inquiry today,
that there was positively no information
that could be conveyed to the
public. In another high diplomatic quarter
1t was strongly intimated that no doubt
existed az to Great Britains acting with
the other powers toward continuance of
peace. even though she sympathized with
the Cuban policy of the United States, and
the choice Of the British embassy as the
place of meeting was cited as an evidence
Of this. AS stated in yesterdays Star, the
British government has made known to the
State Department here its view that the
Cuban conflict should be brought to close
In the interest Of humanity at large
FATAL RAILROAD WRECK.