The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-06
TUNING FOR THE "CONCERT"


Washington, Aprn 5.-Some OF the diplo-
mats today suggested a meeting OF the
representa- ives in Washington OF the
European powers in order to see If some
thing could not be done to preserve peace.
It was felt by the diplomats who desired
European mediation that any move must
be made quickly and that there was no
further time for pour parIers between
the European capitals.
Al Il o'clock Sir Julian Pauncefote. the
British ambassador, drove 10 the French
embassy and had long conference with
". Cambon the French ambassador, il
was believed in regard TO the suggested
concert Of the powers on the Cuban ques-
ton. The nature of Sir Julian's repre-
sensations was unknown, but It was the
first official move in diplomatic circles
here.
The diplomatic corps today became fully
advised OF the telegraph exchange going
on between the capitals Of Europe and
was on the qui vive. one Of the members
of the diplomatic corps expressively
stated the diplomatic view OF the situation
by saying:
'The accord, or concert. OF the great
powers is ike a concert Of musicians. the
first requisite being that the instruments
are brought into complete harmony. That
IS what IS being done now; the instTu-
ments are being tuned to the key. pre-
paratory to sounding the first note"
II was known a the embassies and lega-
tons that France and Austria were most
active in endeavoring TO bring abont a
common basis for concerted action. II
was understood also that the exchange
had proceeded sufficiently TO acqusInt the
powers with the fact that any steps they
might take toward Mediation would be
Acceptable to Spain
There was not the same assurance that
II would be acceptable 70 the United
States and it was the prevailing feeling
at the foreign establishments in Washing
ton that the tendency IN the United States
was against any mediation from foreign
sources. This was regarded as making
the action Of the powers much more diff
fcult II was said that any mediation by
the powers would be based on the will
ingness Of both parties n accept IL. A
distinction was made in this case from
that of the concert OF the powers when
they interviewed 10 stop the Turko-Grecian
war. and when Russia, Germany and
France combined TO compel Japan TO re-
IinGuish the Lao Tung peninsula as part
Of her war indemnity from China. In
both of these cases the European powers
carried their action to the point Of
positive demand. backed up with a show
Of force. L was said among diplomatic
officials that this attitude was due 70
the character OF the coubatants, Greece,
Turkey. China and Japan. 1t was said.
not having attained that status before the
world that the United States and Spain
occupy.
For that reason the attitude % the
powers I'm the present crisis would be
purely az a friendly character, carefully
designed TO avoid wounding the feelings
Of either party and expressly based on
their willingness 20 accept this medium
OF securing continued peace As already
stated. the understanding in diplomatic
circles here. based OF late sdvices. was
that spain stood ready TO accept this
mediation. while the unofficial Indications
were that the United States would not
accept s..
The Associated Press bulletin from Lon
don today saving that Great Britain tai
an4lIy declined % enter ira concert of
tre r7va-s placed a uev and mos .npor--
z-t condition o1 rhis European movement
ara one which II Eht fully defeat b. T.
had been known here that Great Bri-aia
nas holding cut mos, strongly against
any tender - mediation on ire ground
that .- would look Ike outside pressure 70
force che hand q the United states. T6e
attitude q Great B-i-ala-sad tnis view
asI been k75ra - TIE STATE department
-hz5 been that re Esr 10 Cuba should
cease ln -1= .1te-=s. 81 humanity a. ia-ge-
Tea French zuaassas1r ~ -alce1 s-s
rre7i reserve a1- - Fas knows thar be
looked forward 90 dea-i,s acton ca tns
pe-- ~ che rorers Any moment Tls
Austrian minister II. V71 Heagsirsal -.
t--.e1 hsz--s.t 70 al callers ard tasrs vras
ts- rr--- secrecy as 20 rs c1n1l-.-