Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-18
WHERE ENGLAND STANDS


Four-Fifths of the People Are Friendly to
America, and Her Aspirations-AL EN-
poet War.
London, April 17.-Four-flfth of the
people expect war and think that the
United States is indisputably right, and
that she is only pursuing a course
identical with Great Britain historical
policy Il putting an end to the appall-
ing disagreement CT Spain, which is
wholly in the wrong, and they point
cur that England in d similar position,
would have been as equally lnfiamed
by humane emotions as America is at
present
This feeling was exemplified at the
Liberal banquet at Plymouth Friday
evening, Wnen Mr. William Alexander
Macarthur, member OF Parliament, a
former lord Of the treasury, was heart
lily cheered when he said Il do not
think England has any right to throw
stones at Congress. Englishmen
should only applaud the noble indig-
nation of America at the horrors daily
presented during the last two years
4 prominent statesman who was
asked to sum up the hopes and fears
experienced by himself and his col
leagues, replied:
We have hoped throughout the cri-
sis that hostilities would be averted.
We believe war will ruin Spain, seri
Dusly burden the United States, cause
more losses to Americans than they
expect, and that European complica-
lions may arise constituting a new
and lasting danger to the peace Of the
world. We can only hope that the
conflict will be short and decisive and
that it will not be followed in Spain
by Carlist on anarchist revolution.
Once war is begun, there can be no
doubt as to which side English sympa
thies will be on. Spain is incompetent,
corrupt and decadent, while the United
States is intervening in the cause 0f
humanity, and is setting a salutary eX
ample to Europe
The cabinet is expected to meet
early next week and deal with the
question Of neutral vessels in the
event of war Ii is believed some I'M
Outstanding will be reached between
the great powers and that the United
States is prepared to acquiesce to GER
tain conditions which viii not impose
heavy burdens upon neutral govern
ments
Outside of Great Britain, the feeling
toward the United States is distinctly
hostile.
The inspired government organs OF
the continent express Indignation at
the way the United States has ignored
the concerted powers and speak OF
the staggering American self-eon-
ceit"
The inherent dislike Of the continent
tai monarchies for the great republic
Is due to its very great prosperity,
which is iniinicable to the mona schial
principle, and this dislike is cropping
out ID all directions, probably aided by
the thirst for a chance Of colonizing,
or absorbing Spanish America, from
winch they are at present debaTred by
lhe long arm Of the republic.
The fact seems to be that the con-
tnental observer feresees- the newt
able expansion OF Anglo-Saxonism
British naval experts discredit the
reports that the United States will
ritter away her forces by stimuli
laneous attack upon the different Span
lsh colonies. They point out that
spain has shown her appreciation Of
lie most important element of naval
strategy, namely that sea power can
only be upheld by a combined fleet. BY
Her concentration a formidable force
az The Cape Verde Islands. the naval
men anticipate that q big engagement
between the combined fleets Will be
,ought in the neighborhood OF Porto
Rico.
There is intense excitement among
me members of the American colony
mere The thirst for information is so
Sfeat that private news service has
oeen arranged. American ladies are
discussing the question of organizing
% assist the wounded, Immediately
after war is declared.
1t is understood that interesting
question viii come up in the House Of
ommons on Monday relative to neu-
ual ships in the event of war.