Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-31

pect of the controversy with the United
States, and at least inferrentially sug-
costing that the time was now oppor-
tune for European influence to be ex-
erted. 1t is said this note led to the
utterances of Premier Hanotaux in the
French chamber, last Saturday, and has
been the cause of the activity in Eu-
ropean capitals within the last few
days in connection with Spanish Ameri-
can affairs Up to the present time no
actual step toward mediation or inter
vention has been taken by any Of the
great powers, although there is little
doubt that France stands ready to take
the Initiative, if there is the slightest
evidence that the United States govern
ment will view such move with favor.
The French ambassador at Washing
ton, M. Cambon, has received no definite
instructions directing him to tender the
good offices of France. Nevertheless the
ambassador, taking the cue from the
remarks Of Premier Hanotaux, has
called on Judge Day and has said that
II this government at any time feels
that the French government can aid in
aVert1ng the present grave crisis and
IN maintaining peace, he has no doubt
that France will readily undertake to
exert such good offices as will be ac-
ceptable to both powers.
1t Is probable that the suggestions
have not taken a more formal shape.
owing to the delicate character of such
overtures. A tender of good offices is
one of the last resorts of diplomacy
Wnen all other means Of averting war
seem to be at an end. There is addi-
tional difficulty from the fact that when
Two nations are involved in a crisis.
any external influence may be resented
as an intrusion. There is reason to be-
10 no cgfn
France unless it Is clearly apparent in
advance that the United States desired
the friendly Offices of other nations.
The Spanish government has earnest
ly hoped within the last week that some
of the European powers, and more
likely Austria or France would take
the initiative. without waiting to CON
suit the desires Of this government
This hope has proved vain however
and 1t Is said today on high authority
that recent negotiations in Europe have
disclosed positively that while the sym
pathy of some of the continental powers
was with Spain, no one Of them stood
ready to espouse her cause by media
ton or by arms. Most had been ex-
pected of Austria, owing to the dynastic
relations between Austria and Spain,
the queen regent Of Spain being an
Austrian princess and a cousin of the
emperor Of Austria. Up to the present
time, however, Austria has not felt
ready to take the initiative alone.
The reports from Vienna last night,
that the Austrian minister of foreign
affairs, Count Goluchowski, had in
structed the Austrian representative at
Washington to cooperate in the steps
to be taken by France, are not borne
out by any actual developments here
The Austrian minister has not been at
the state department during the pres
ent week, nor have any suggestions in
this line been received by the state de-
partment from him. 1t is a coincidence
that the French ambassador, the Aus
trian minister and the Spanish minister
are more closely associated together
than any other diplomats in the corps.
The greatest secrecy prevails in many
bureaus of the war and navy depart
ments in regard to the various projects
of defense and naval movements now
going on. Capt. Crowninshield, of the
bureau of navigation, has issued the
following order:
Officers, clerks and all employees of
the bureau are forbidden to make pub
lie any information concerning move
ments of ships, orders to officers or
other official business of the bureau ex-
cept they have personal and explicit
permission from me-"