The times., 1898-05-31
EUROPES POLITICAL TIDE.
Strong Expressions of Sentiment in


Strong Expressions of Sentiment in
Favor of America.
Paris, May 3O.-The European edi-
ton of the Herald yesterday published
the following:
Day by day the nations of Europe
are becoming bolder in expression of
their sympathy for the United States.
Even at it's most, the sentiment felt
for Spain was only platonic.
The feeling was, after all, natural
enough. At the first glance the case
seemed one of a giant attacking a
pigmy. and it is surely not to the dis
credit of human nature that there was,
therefore. in the beginning disposi-
ton to side with the weaker party.
Some hotheaded papers went off at
half cock" but no one paid much at
tention to them until 1t began to be
seen that their attacks upon the United
States constituted a veritable danger
to the well-being of the people upon this
side of the Atlantic.
Then the tide changed. Some papers
tried TO turn off the affair with an in
dulgent laugh. Others began 10 argue
seriously TO show the sincerity of
Frances admiration for her sister re-
public. while all have of late adopted
very guarded tone only In their COM
ments upon the progress of the war.
This is the case not only in France.
but also all over Europe.
England's sympathies. Of course
need not be even referred to. From the
very outbreak of hostilities. and before.
she threw all the weight of her infiu-
ence and sentiments upon the side OF
the United States, evidently indorsing
the precept that blood Is thicker than
water, and considering that the logical
development OF Latin solidarity would
be a union OF Anglo-Saxon with An
glo-SaXon.
Then Germany has come into line
The Herald has received dispatches
from its Berlin and Cologne correspon-
dents giving the views of the editors
OF two of the principal German news
papers. These are important in a two
fold sense. Both papers furnish faith
full refexes of German public oponion
and both have intimate relations with
the imperial chancellery and foreign
office
In these interviews there is moth
ing but decided support of America
Here race and racial affinities. united
ed over any sentimental feeling thai
may have existed before the true sit
uation had been thoroughly understood
Germany is bound closer to the United
States than she is TO Spain, and q
frank acknowledgment of this Is con-
tanned in the Herald's dispatches from
Berlin and Cologne, to which l have al
ready referred.
Perhaps the plainest sign of the
change that has taken place in Euro
pean feeling within the last fortnight
is to be gathered from a leader in E
Liberal, one of the principal organs oi
| Madrid, and at one time an unwaver-
ing supporter of Sagasta. This paper
in its editorial on Friday, noted with
profound regret that the European
press has lately changed its tone. In
spired organs which at first offered
sympathy and encouragement tC
Spain are now wholly silent or display
exquisite circumspection regarding the
war.
The French press particularly, which
seemed conscious of the common inter.
ests of the Latin race, now speaks OF
Lafayette and the ancient alliance OF
France with the United States.
Russia fails to give any sign, and the
eminently indscreet German Emper-
or, who was expected to make a decla-
ration, displays remarkable reserve.
This wonderful change is attributed
to Mr.. Chamberlain's speech. Europe
is afraid of more serious complications
She. therefore, does not wish to COM
promise herself either for the Ameri-
cans or for the Spaniards.
There is thus only one thing for Spain
to do. She must prepare for the worst
and count upon herself alone.