Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-08
AMBASSADORS CALL IN A BODY on
PRESIDENT M'kINLEY.
EXPRESS A HOPE FOR PEACE.
THE PRESIDENT REPLIES THAT HE
SHARES THAT HOPE.
Adds, However, That the United
States Is Fulfilling n Duty to
Humanity by Ending a Con-
ditiOn That Has Be-
come IntOlerable.

Of the six great powers of Europe, Great
Britain. France. Germany. Russia, Austria
and Italy. gave official form at noon to-
day to their recent conferences in the in
terest of a peaceful solution of the Cuban
problem. Their procedure was unique in
the United States. though doubtless IA
miliar one in European courts. They called
in body at the White House. presented an
address to President Mckinley in the blue
parlor. received his reply, and then pro-
ceeded to the state department, where. with
solemn punctiliousness they were received
by Assistant Secretary Day, in the diplo-
matte room. They were accompanied by
their secretaries. The ceremony was i'm
pressive.
The ambassadors and ministers had
agreed upon line of action at a meeting
at the British embassy Tuesday afternoon
as was stated in these dispatches yester-
day. Early to-day there were evidences
of great activity at the foreign establish
ments and while the customary official Sc
crecy was observed. yet no further effort
was made to question or deny the fact that
the ambassadors and ministers had agreed
upon concrete form of action. Sir Julian
Pauncefote had communicated with the
state department authorities last evening
on this subject, and while the full details
of the movement may not then have oeen
presented, the United States government
was made aware of what was being done,
and of the further fact that an official pre-
sentation of the subject would be made at
noon to-day. This government also un-
doubtedly was made acquainted with the
address to be delivered, and then, in the
light Of it, prepared its reply. The fact de-
yeIoped for the first time this morning that
Russia had Joined the other five powers.
Mr. de Wollant, charge d'affaires. pending
the arrival OF the new Russian ambassa-
dor, Count Cassini. acting for Russia
The diplomatic officials congregated at
the British embassy shortly before noon'
and then proceeded with their secretaries
to the White House and state departmeht.
The party was made up of the following:
The British ambassador, Sir Julian
Pauncefote, dean of the diplomatic corps;
tn. French ambassador. NJ. Cambon. and
NJ. 1hiebant first secretary of French em-
bassy; the German ambassador. DR.. Won
Iol!eben, with Baron Spreck Won Stein
burg, first secretary Of the German em-
bassy; the Austrian minister. MIR. Hensei-
muller: the Italian charge d'affaires. Count
yinci. and the Russian charge d'affaires,
Mr. de Wollant.
Arriving at the White House, they were
ushered into the blue room and there were
received by President Mckinley. After a
social exchange and mutual we'll wishes.
the ambassadors. ministers and charges.
speaking through Sir Julian Pauncefote.
delivered to the president an address to
which he responded.
Sir Julian Pauncefote said:
Mr.. President: We have been commits
stoned by the great powers of Europe.
whom we represent here to-day, to ap-
prcach your exceliency with a message Of
friendship and peace at the present critical
juncture in the relations between the United
States and Spain, and to convey to you the
sentiments expressed In the collective note
which I have the honor to place in your
hands.
1.-The undersigned representatives of Ger
many. Austria-Hungary, France, Great
Britain, Italy and Russia. duly authorized
in that behalf. address in the name of their
respective governments, pressing appeal
to the feelings of humanity and moderation
of the president of the American people
in their existing differences with Spain.
They earnestly hope that further negotia-
tions will lead to an agreement, which,
while securing the maintenance Of peace.
will afford all necessary guarantees for the
re-estabiishment of order in Cuba.
THE powers do not doubt that the hu-
manitarian and purely disnterested char
acter of this representation will be fully
recognized and appreciated by the Ameri-
can nation.
President Mckinley replied as follows:
1.-The government of the United States rec
ogniEes the good will which has prompted
the friendly communication of the repre-
sentativeS Of Germany, Austria-Hungary,
France, Great Britain. Italy and Russia, as
set forth in the address of your excellen-
cies. and shares the hope therein expressed
that the outcome of the situation in Cuba
may be the maintenance of peace between
the United States and Spain by affording
the necessary guarantees for the re-estab-
lishment of order in the island, so termi-
mating the chronic condition of disturbance
there, which SO deeply Injuries the interests
and menaces the tranquility Of the Ameri-
can nation by the character and conse-
quences of the struggle thus kept at our
doors, besides shocking its sentiment of
humanity.
1.-The government Of the United States
appreciates the humanitarian and diSinter-
ested character Of the communication now
made on behalf Of the powers named. and
for its part Is confident that equal appre
citation will be shown for its own earnest
and unselfish endeavors to fulfill duty to
humanity by ending a situation. the definite
prolongation of which has become insuffer-
able"
The party then withdrew to the state de-
partment and repaired in body to the
diplomatic room, where they held con-
ference with Judge Day, assistant secretary
of state. Secretary Sherman having gone
home to lunch before their arrival. This
conference took a wider range. and went
considerably outside of the address deliv-
cred to the president. While the diplomat
lists We're at first received together, they
som Spnarated into prollpa wit h 10 apDar-
ent purpose of presenting the views of
their several governments. The British am
bassador. the Austrian minister and the
Italian charge were the first to retire. COM
ing away together. The Russian charge
was the next to leave. The German am
bassador and his secretary then had pri-
vate conference with Judge Day. At its
conclusion the French ambassador and his
secretary. in turn, had conference with
Judge Day. These conferences lasted for
about half an hour, the several diplomatists
leaving separately. Shortly afterward Judge
Day left the state department, declining
to say moro than to refer inquirers to the
ambassadors and the reply of the presi-
dent.
The action OF the powers in presenting
the joint note to President Mckinley was
to have occurred yesterday, but was de-
ferred by delay at St. Petersburg.
1t was not until o'clock yesterday aft
ernoon that the Russian government cabled
its charge instructions similar to those
already given TO the other representatives
At Z o'clock last night meeting was held
and the joint note formally signed, 1t hav-
ing been prepared at the meeting at the
British embassy the night before. The note
is in French, and bears the signatures of
the representatives of the six powers. The