The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-04-04

ton, are willing to give the president
a reasonable time. There may be in
fluences making for peace Of which we
know nothing" said he. "And we
ought to defer u few days if Mr.. Nc
Kinley desires. Besides, every day
adds to our war preparations" MIR.
Loud, rep, of California, said he was
willing to wait upon the president. Mr..
Babcock, rep, of Wisconsin, chairman
of the congressional committee, ex-
pressed doubt as to whether the house
could be held beyond tomorrow.
European Mediation.
The prospect of European mediation
has aroused the keenest interest
throughout diplomatic circles here, and
although inquiry at the leading embas-
sizes and legations failed to disclose that
any actual move had been made, yet
such move is anticipated almost any
time, and when taken it is felt that it
will be an important factor in the sit
uation. 1t has been expected that
France would be the first to act by a
tender of her good offices. Up to to-
night, however, the French ambassa-
dor, M. Cambon, had received no in
structions in this line There is the
same anticipation but lack of definite
action in British, German and other
diplomatic quarters. 1t is probable
that mediation will take definite form
if certain representatives were con-
vinced that war was inevitable and
was about to be declared. While they
look upon the situation as grave, the
general sentiment is that the matter
has not yet progressed beyond the
range of diplomacy and pacific set
tlement. For that reason there was
strong inclination shown to-day to wait
until the presidents message was sent
to congress, the feeling being that the
real issue could not be determined un-
til the message had been submitted
Gpain Now Less Inclined.
At the outset Spain was most earn
est for mediation and to this eld ad-
dressed note to the powers about ten
days ago. Now, however, as the pros
poets for mediation appear to be grow
ing the Spanish authorities seem to be
less inclined toward this course. This
may be due to the fact that Spain has
looked upon mediation as an indirect
form of intervention of the European
powers in favor of one of their own
number The Spanish note developed,
however, that the powers were not
ready for any such radical step. France
made the first declaration through
Premier Hanatoux in the French
chamber that France would treat both
parties alike as friends. This was an
unexpected reverse for Spain as she
felt that the French ownership of Nar-
tjnique, Guadalupe, and other islands
could incline her sympathy with Spain
in defending her sovereignty over
Cuba
Method Of Mediation.
1t was stated by one Of the embassa-
dors to-day that any movement for
mediation would first assume form by
exchange of notes between European
powers. In such event the general un-
derstanding among diplomats is that
Great Britain, France, Germany and
Austria would be consulted as their
commercial interests would be serious
ly crippled by a war between the Uni
ted States and Spain. While Russia
and Italy also might be consulted ow-
ing to their influence in European at
fairs, yet their immediate interest in
the Spanish American conflict would
be far less than that Of the other coun-
tries mentioned.
To Control French Cable.
1t is probable that negotiations by
this government with Denmark to al
low the cable message to come over
the French line to the United States
will soon commence. With the Lee
ward islands, of which st. Thomas is
a center, as the probable center of any
naval operations which may result
from the present crisis it is recognized
as of vital Importance to secure cable
facilities not controlled by Spain. At
present the cable line touching at
Porto Rico subject to Spanish control
is the only means of communicating
with these islands. The French cable
lands at St. Thomas but the station is
merely for testing purposes and mes
sages are not received or delivered. It
is now proposed to have this station
turned into regular bureau. The es-
tablishment Of the bureau will require
the consent of Denmark and it is prob
able this will be asked through the
United States minister at Copenhagen
within the next ten days. 1t is under
stood that the Danish government did
not view with favor the recent propo-
sition for the purchase of the island of
st. Thomas by the United States.
This view was communicated to
Washington and doubtless made
known to the state department
through the Spanish minister.