The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-27
An Absorbing Topic Of Discussion
in London Circles.
Sensational Dispatches Beginning TO Affect
Public Opinion.
The Apprehension Respecting Cuba
Generally Regarded as Alto
gether Exaggerated and War as
nprobabIe-Presid McK;n-
Pressure OF Those Who Would
EasIaIy Involve the Country in
Conflict.


a Conflict.
LONDON, Feb. %. = copyrighted.
1898, by the Associated Press. )-Sensa-
tional dispatches. purporting to report
alarmist utterances Of President Me-
kinley, Secretary Long and other Off
Gals are beginning to affect public opin-
ion on tits side of the Atlantic. and ere
ate the impression that possibly there
may be truth in the reports which al
lege that the loss of the Maine was not
due TO ar accident, as at first believed
here, although war between the United
States ard Spain is still regarded as
improbable. The disposition in the city
is TO regard the apprehension respect
ing CUBA as altogether exaggerated.
The 'Statist' points out that this is
a grave mistake, as. apart from the
sentiment. the material losses inflicted
upon Americans by the anarchy Of
Cuba must not be belittled."
The "Statist" believes, however, that
President Mckinley is strong enough 10
resist the pressure, and congratulates
him upon the firm and statesmanli<e
qualities which the immediate response
bilities of his position have developed
and upon the honorable and noble prin-
ciples which he enunciated at Philadel-
phia When ne quoted Washington. AT
the same time" continues the "Statist,"
I'VE realize that the President cannot
afford TO quarrel with his supporters, If
the latter press war"
The Saturday Review" is of the
opinion that the affair is grayeiy
threatening" and comments upon the
silence of the court of inquiry into the
loss of the Maine as being "ominous,"
as in the nervous anxiety of President
Mckinley and his Ministers 10 avoid
rupture with Spain they would or
viously Rave FASTENED to publish any
thing which would help to stop the
mouths Of Senator's Mason and Allen,
who. with the assistance of certain
new spapers, are yelling for instant war
in the hest lingo style
Proceeding, the Saturday Review"
remarks: Secretary Sherman having
been siIenced by the simple process of
not allowing him to know anything,
the Executive has lately kept the Sc
crets admirably but it is shrewdly sus-
pected that the pacific position of Pres
ident Mckinley is largely owing to tils
reports of his naval advisers to the eft
feet that America is not in condition to
go to war with Spain with any GER
tainty of immediate and overwhelming
success. The Spanish fleet is not j be
despised, and South American repu5-
lies have not displayed any love tor
their northern sister. But all this will
not prevent the jingoes from forcing
Presidents hand if q scrap Of evidence
duplicating the Cuban authorities be-
comes public"
The Spectator" is certain that the
United States Government, whether
moved Ey information from Europe or
being cIiy desirous OF peace. is anxious
to avoid war" Still, apart from ;ne
loss Of the Maine. the Spectator thinks
that the narrowing consular reports
from Cuba may so fire the Americans
that they will insist upon their Gov
eminent ending such miseries within
American waters.
The Spectator" then proceeds to re-
peat the reported War preparations in
the United States, and concludes: But
grave persons everywhere in the Union
are waiting for evidence, and are not
inclined for war, unless the honor and
policy Of the country really require it."
Advices received here from Madrid
show that while the revolutionary or
sans, such as lei Pals are shrieking
denunciations and threats, the respon-
sible newspapers have adopted a con-
ciliatory attitude. For instance. lei
Liberal" in a leading article made
sympathetic reference to Washineton's
birthday and expressed approval of
President McKinley's speech at Phil
adelphia, considering it to he a rebuff
for those seeking to embroil the Unit
ed States and SPAIN and expressing
the hope that the Presidents action
Will be in accord with his words"
In conclusion lei Liberal saws:
Time viii tell; but for the present we
ought to cry truce to suspicious and
aEinlosities, in >-snor of the memory of
the great man. Who in addition to Law
ing the foundation for the liberty of his
people. contributed as few others have
done to the redeeming and dignifying
of human conscience"
The Ministers declare that the pessi-
nistic views Of the Spanish press are
.'ony the echo of the sensa tional state
ments made by certain American news
papers
"El Pals" repeating the charge that
the real seat of war il not in Cuba.
but in the United States which by lies
and chicanery. are seeking to Justify
their acts says: THE war in Cuba
will only end when we send an army
against the United States
London Is in the throes of the hottest
campaign in its history the contest for
seats in the London County Council
completely throwing into the shade
even the keenest fought general par
elections For three weeks
past the fight has been raging alike in
Beigravia ard Whiteehapel, while there
are scores CT meetings attended by
Cabinet Ministers ard front -benei,ers''
of both parties. Peers. Com
naonars. clergy. publicans, officers. d.
plcmats. Judges. doctors and labor ag-
itators are all involved For the 11S
seats to be filed on March Sd there are
24o candidates, including few inde-
pendents.
National issues have been Included in
the fight in a manner hitherto unknown
in municipal politics. until If has he
come a square battle between the Tn