Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-21
ENGLAND IS INTERESTED.
Impending War Is Almost the Sole
Topic of Conversation i'm
London.

London.
New. York. April 20.-The impending war
is the sole topic of conversation here. saws
the London correspondent of the World.
TO whatever complex motive it may be
due. the undeniable fact is that English
feeling he's been to the end dead against
war. John Burns last night said emphat-
ica1ly: Il am firmly convinced that even
at this eleventh hour war could be averted
il Great Britain used her influence with
the Continental powers to bring pressure
which might be made Irresistible on Spain
to grant. concessions which would satisfy
America.
My sympathies are wholly with the
United States but I am totally opposed
to war. though ! can understand and ap-
preciate the feeling for it by the American
people,
This was: the burden of the comments
generally made, though other members of
parliament are averse to further inter-
ference at either Madrid or Washington.
The cardinal point now is. what use will
Spain be able to make of her naval forces?
Sir John Columb, conservative men,
ber of parliament and a retired naval Of
ficer. author of many important works on
naval questions, said: Il am very doubt
full of the strategic knowledge and ability
of the Spanish naval commanders. They
are brave men and good navigators. but I
should not be surprised if their strategy
proves entirely defective. as l don't think
they have had any training.
by latest reports they have locked up
their fleet at Cape Verde. but fancy they
have not been quite so foolish that, and
their ships will next be heard of good
deal westward of those islands.
They must know that Americas plan of
campaign will be to deliver attack on Gu
ba within twenty-four hours after the
declaration of war
Are the Canary islands and Cape Verde
islands strongly fortified?
"They have some modern earthworks
there but these should suffice, as no ad-
miral would be justified in riskng his ships
against any modern earthworks armed
with moderately good modern guns. Be
sides, have always suspected that France
has lien on the Canaries She has i'm
mense financial interests in Spain. for
which I am inclined to believe the Cana
res are security.
..I don't believe the United States navy
will operate so far away as the Canaries,
and ! can't think it would be good tactics
for them to do So"
Captain Phillpots. member OF parla-
ment and a retired naval officer who served
with distinction in many parts Of the
world. said: 1T is difficult to form an opin-
ion of the strategic plans of SPANS naval
commanders.
"On the data available l don't believe
their concentration at Cape Verde has any
other object than awaiting favorable
weather to convey torpedo tiotlla across
the Atlantic.
1T is a very ticklish job to get torpedo
destroyers across, and We are now just
at the end of the equinoctial gales. But l
believe that they will be heard of off Cuba
one Of these mornings.
II served in the West Indies. and know
Cuba, and my opinion Is that by lar the
most formidable antagonism the United
States is likely to encounter Is yellow
fever.
The efficiency of the Spanish fleet is
point I would not like to speak upon. All
can say is that it remains to be proved
William Allan, Il member of parliament,
said: Under new conditions naval war
fare will be the deciding factor. in my opin-
ion-not seamanship. but .steamanship.
Naval captains who don't thoroughly
understand the machinery of their ships
will come off badly in future naval en-
gagementS.
Every one is interested in naval matters
and is awaiting this war with the keenest
curiosity.
THE American navy will give the first
reliable illustration of working under con-
ditions of the highest efficiency of the mod
ern engines of marine warfare
Mr.. Dalzeil said last night that he had
handed in notice of the following ques-
ton for Thursday to Arthur Balfour:
Whether he is aware that the torpedo
gunboat AudaZ. the property of the Span
ish government is now undergoing repairs
al the docks in Cork and whether instruc-
tions will Immediately be issued to the
customs authorities that in the event of
war being declared before her repairs are
completed. she shall be detained?"
The British government may be trusted
to take efectual measures to prevent
repetition of the Alabama affair.