The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-06

pirations when the auspicious moment
arrives.
Every one in this country acknowl-
edges the dignity and self-possessioa
Mckinley has been handling this most
difficult affair, and this attitude of the
United States government has had a
great effect in influencing opinion on
this side of the Atlantic.
Americans express themselves as be-
ing much gratifed at the friendly at
titude which the British government
has evinced toward the United States.
By advice of the British government
shipbuilders and dealers in munitions
of war here insist, practically, upon
cash payments in the case of all orders
booked by Spain. 1t seems that the
Spanish embassy. when bargaining
with the shipbuilding and other firms
indirectly suggested that Great Britain
sympathiZed with Spain. This coming
to the ears of the British government
the latter lost no time in putting the
firms which are In the habit of doing
government work on their guard.
Ready for War.
Another rumor which has decidedly
pleased the Americans was that the
government has succeeded in obtaining
complete plans of principal Spanish
harbors and their defenses. In short,
both Americans and Englishmen have
about concluded that the present calm
has been brought about by President
Mckinley. in order to allow the COM
pletion of preparations for defense and
for possible initiative action, and few
people here will be sorry when a de-
cision is reached and the long-stand-
ing tension is ended
Operators on the stock exchange are
inclined to leave American securities
alone until the crisis is settled. They
burned their fingers during the past
week, the net result of the see-saw
movement being that London lost con-
siderably to New York, and, although
there is no doubt as to the final out
come it is feared the struggle will
cause the trade of the United States
to suffer severely. Hence, the London
purchases al present are not likely to
be appreciable.
An eXemplification of the feeling here
is contained in a long article published
by the Statist After complimentng
President Mckinley, whose powers are
perhaps greater than those of any Eu-
rCpean sovereign, upon independence
Of Judgment the Statist points out
that. however strong the president
may be, he has finally to obey the will
of the people"
Continuing, the Statist said: ct
would be the gravest mistake to sup
pose that, because the jingoes, who
have discredited themselves by reck-
less charges, which they were unable
to SubStantiate have failed to move
the president, public sympathy for the
Cubans, which is very real and wide
spread, will also fall
Commenting upon the financial as
pect of the situation, the Statist says:
THE withdrawal of gold for New York
at this season of the year is notewor-
thy and the paper gathers therefrom
a corroboration of the belief that
most of the recent speculation in
American securities conducted by the
United States was financed by New
York banks, hence the latter are now
In no position to part with much mon
ey to the agricultural districts without
calling in loans.
Another circumstance has powerful
ly contributed to the stringency If
there should be war, expenditures
would be upon an enormous scale, and
the government will have to borrow
immense sums to get over enormous
expenditure. 1t would not be surpris
ing, therefore, if the banks are taking
precautions, and are increasing their
holding of gold.'
Possible Alliance.
The Spectator believes that both
Washington and Madrid expect war.
without desiring it, that both are
arming as rapidly as they can," and
that both are cogitating upon possible
alliances Spain with France and
Russia, and America with japan.
which wants the Philippine islands and
could double the American fleet at a
few hours notice, If Russia permitted.
The Spectator continues: "Grea t
efforts are being made on both sides to
be in time, by President Mckinley, be-
cause the arsenals are not full, and
by Premier Sagasta, because he must
elect an obedient parliament.
The French foreign office, dreading
financial crash in Paris, is suggest
ing mediation, but it will in the end
make a mistake in threatening a peo-
pie who, at heart, believe there is
nothing strong in Europe except Great
Britain"
The consul general of Spain is re-
sponsible for a curious advertisement.
which has appeared In the London
newspapers, calling upon Spanish de-
serters, fugitives and youths who have