New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17
THE NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
LONDON.
ENGLAND'S EAGER DISCUSSION OF THE
CUBAN QUESTION.

PROPOSITIONS OF PRACTICAL SYMPATHY
THE TIMEs's" UNFAIR ATTACK
THE PRIvATEERING QUESTION.
(BY THE rRIBrNE.l
London, April 16.-If the Cuban question has
not been settled this week Il has been through
no fault of the English press. which has con-
centrated all its energies upon 1t. Every day
there has been fresh leader upon 1t in nearly
every journal. with many columns Of dispatches
from America and the chief Continental capt.
tails. While the natural trend OF events
mains unchanged and there is a steady drift
toward war; one great fact looms up with dom-
mating force. 1t is that England and America
are IN sympathetic touch and will remain so.
whatever may be the final cast OF the iron dice
OF war There may be anti-American bias
on the Continent. but there is none here The
London Times" with the same faulty with
which It neglected to do justice to Lincoln
I'll he was in his grave may go amuck and ac-
cuse President Mckinley OF sinking his ex-
ecutive responsibility and constitutional obliga-
tion and The st. Jamess Gazette" and a few
other journals may subject Congress to censori-
Gus criticism; but the heart OF the English peo.
pie is with America. and English Govern
ment can live which adopts an anti-American
policy.
Nearly all the English journals perceive this
truth. The Daily Chronicle" is so deeply i'm
pressed with it that 1t advocates an open al
lance. which would be premature. as we'll az
embarrassing. The only thing which America
needs is the moral support OF England and .
sufficiently rigorous application OF the three
rules of the Treaty Of Washington to close
the British West Indian ports against Spanish
cruisers and privateers as naval bases and coal
ipO cta baf ta u
shorten the limit Of the naval war and be
strictly in line with neutral obligations. There
is no reason to doubt that instructions will be
sent from the Foreign and Colonial Offices
which will promote this result and satisfy
American opinion. Without coai the Spanish
navy cannot fight, and America will have every
advantage in the opening Of the struggle for
supremacy Of power
A member Of Parliament says: War between
America ard Spain is mainly question OF coal
supply. There is no cruiser In the Spanish Navy
which can steam from the Peninsula TO New
York and back with her own supplies OF COAL
The will be of short duration II tho
Spanish Navy can be shut out Of British ports
for coaling IN any effective scale. The British
| Government can be depended upon 10 enforce
neutrality Obligations TO this extent. and to
shorten thereby the period of hostiliies."
Even the dullest Eng,ishman understands
that the Foreign Office has opportunity for
| commanding American gratitude and good feel
! ing. and at the same time for Strengthening
Engands own position as naval Power.
Nothing can be clearer than the fact that Eng
lands interest lies in the direction OF making
it difficult for belligerents to obtain supplies Of
coal In neutral ports fer with her own chain
Of coaling stations encircling the globe, she Is
/ her nd In
To-day's rumors that the European Powers
will employ armed Intervention TO prevent
American interference with misrule and anar-
chy are not credited here in diplomatic cir
cles There is unquestonably an ant-Amer-
| can bias the Continent which renders Presi-
dent McKinley's recommendation and the reso-
| luton adopted by the House more discreet than
the original Senate proposal. but no concert Of
coercion against America is practicable. Ger
| tainly any English Government which sup
| ported conspiracy OF this kind would be
! doomed All diplomatists here scout the idea
| that the European Powers, after the wretched
| failure to prevent massacres in Armenia, Will
combine for the maintenance Of anarchy and
atrocity in Cuba.
II Is generally believed here that the British
| Ambassador In Washington has been instructed
to take no steps toward Intervention and media
ton in connection with the representatives or
other Powers unless he learns in advance that
such measures would be agreeable to the State
| Department England, as the only great Euro
pean Power having real and substantial in
| terests in the West Indies will continue to lend
her moral support to America, and never join
In any scheme OF coercion for the prolongation
of the unspeakable horrors Of Spanish rule In
Cuba.
The most unfair attack upon America this
week has been the cynical accusation that Presi-
dent Mckinley rad abdicated the functions OF
hi. office and surrendered to the war fanatics
In Congress- Mr.. IIndley Sambourne is much
nearer the truth in his Punch cartoon. de-
picting with grim pleasantly President McKin-
ley's stout efforts to hold in the eager and ex-
cited lingo bird. The London Times" Is placed
this morning on its defence by keen-witted
! critic who demonstrates. under the signature or
Fair Play" the injustice of its structures upon
President Mckinley. Apart from this single
line OF attack upon the President, whose pa
t,ence dignity. frmness and patriotism COM
n,and general respect in England. there has been
nothing unfair and much that is generous ana
svmpathetic in the press discussion Of the Amer
lean policy toward Spain. This one diversion
! IN the interest of Spain has confused the pubic
Judgment and given a wrong cue to few minor
| journals; but Il mas ho' seii'u''' ~ Wv
American cause.
| It is believed in diplomatic circles that the
| United States Government would have nothing
| 70 lose and much to gain by announcing Its
willingness and determination. In the event OK
war. not to employ privateers, but 10 respect
the Declaration OF Paris. The communication OK
this policy to the European Powers would Civ"
great satisfaction to the commercial classes In
England and the Continent. and might enable
the British Government to bring pressure to
bear upon Spain in the direction OF the protec-
ton Of neutral commerce Sir George baheh"