The herald., 1898-04-10
effective MEDIATION
Is PROPOSED BY THE POWERS
OF EUROPE
SPAIN MUST FIRST FREE CUBA
After Which the Powers Will Preserve
Spain From Foreign War or
Internal Insurrection
associated Press Special Wire

associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK, April "a dispatch to the
World from Madrid says: The ambassa.
doris of five great European powers
France, Germany. Russia. Italy and Aus
tria-have automatically informed the
government of Spain that Il war with the
United States can only be avoided, In their
judgment. by Spain's yielding.
The ambassadors of Europe have advised
extreme concessions to the United States
They have appealed to Spain's pride. noble
self-sacrihce and self-interest. They mean
that she must abandon Cuba.
The ambassadors of the same powers
called upon President Mckinley in Wash
Of form. There was possibly no expecta-
ton, no hope, that the United States would
recede one inch from It's one vital demand
that Spain must give up Cuba.
But the powers may have felt that. as
they were about to use coercion in Madrid
it would be diplomatic to make demon
stration in Washington at the same time.
There are reasons to believe the powers
have made extraordinary propositions to
Spain. They have said, in effect, that II
she should mako such concessions to the
United States as they believed to be neces-
sary, the powers of Europe would guaran-
tee her against war. both external and in
ternal. The powers would delegate to one
Of their own number, Austria, whose
throne is so closely allied to the throne of
Spain by ties of blood, the duty Of defend
ing Spain against any internal foes that
might arise as a menace to the dynasty, as
result Of yielding to the demands of the
United States.
In plain English this means that Austri-
an troops would, If necessary, be sent to
Spain to maintain order and to suppress
civil war. The Austrian troops would have
behind them the allied moral and physical
forces of Europe.
The papal nuncio, who has been repeated
ly to the palace in the last twenty-four
hours. Is believed to be in sympathy with
this program.
NOT YET DECREED
WASHINGTON, April 9.-It is learned
at foreign embassy that the Spanish
government today has under earnest con-
sideration the issuance of a proclamation
declaring an armistice in Cuba. This de-
cree has not been signed SO far as known.
nor does the information indicate that
f1nal termination has been reached vet.
The measure, however, is being strongly
pressed upon the consideration of Spain
by some of the Continental powers which
nave acquainted their embasse with the
tact. 1t Is the hope of the powers urging
TINS move that by means of this conces-
sion war might be averted, although 1t Is
realized that the United States may not
regard the concession as adequate to meet
the case.
Ihe Spanish government, it Is said
holds to the position that it will yield ev-
erythlng to avert war save two things
the independence of Cuba and American
intervention. 1t insists if either of these
latter moves are insisted upon by the
United states as q sine qua non and
carried into effect it will regard them as
overt acts, placing the United States in the
attitude Of taking the first step toward
war. 1t is because of Spain's refusal to
yield on either the Intervention or inde-
'pendence propositions that the armistice
proposed is not regarded as assuring any
change In the present outlook.
Inc foregoing was the one ray Of hope
through the darkness Of the Spanish sit
uation and even this could not be definitely
and officially verified from administration
sources, though the State Department un-
oouotedly Is acquainted, perhaps unofficial
ly, with all that is going on at Madrid.
In the foreign pressure now being ex-
erted at Madrid, it is understood that the
British government is taking no part. The
extent of British influence, so far as 1t
Is observable here, was eXerted when the
British Ambassador Joined the other pow
ers IN the presentation of the note to Presi-
dent Mckinley expressing a hope for
peace. Since then the Ambassadors and
ministers nave not considered any further
action to be taken at Washington, but all
tne foreign influence has been directed on
Madrid. In this France has again taken
fhe lead while at the same time the French
AMBASSADOR at Washington has been kept
constantly acquainted with the steps TAX
en- by his government through it's Ambas-
sador at Madrid. Long cable dispatches
passed late last night and early this morn
Ing between the French Embassy and the
Foreign Office at Paris. Naturally the ma
ture or these is a secret, but it is not
questioned that they relate to the hoped
Tor solution on the basis of Spain's grant
ing concessions.
Inc Spanish Minister would not discuss
the reports of armistice. So far as could
De learned here there is no official infor-
nation. II decree had actually existed
he doubtless would be advised Immediate
ly.
In all diplomatic quarters up to noon to-
day information that the decree has been
issued had not been received, although it
was expected almost hourly, and the delay
In announcing led to some fear that the |
ministry at Madrid had not yet finally
agreed to the concessions. AS these dis
patches stated yesterday this question of |
armistfce was under consideration by the |
Spanish Minister last Wednesday evening
with every prospect, it is assumed, that a |
decree of armistice would be proclaimed |