The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-17
FROM FOREIGN
POINT OF ."1!EW
War an lmprovemegS Ser Un-
certairlSl S
IS THE 0PINR SIN LONDoNa
United States Is IndiSputably Right and
Following In British Footsteps.
NAVAL ENGAGEMENT AT PORTO RICO
~
Experts Believe this Will Be the First
Battle.
GERMAN PRESS IS AGAINST Us,
The Government Proper Will Pursue n Per.
fectiy Neutral Policy The Regular
Cruise to Spanish Water Counter
panded this Account
GERMAN PRESS IS AGAINST US,

London, April 16.-After a momentarv Al
of depression there has been a sudden re-
erudescence of optimism in banking cir.
cles, notably among the banks closely allied
with the United States
Four-fifths of the people, however. expect
war, and think it will be an Improvement
on the present state of uncertainty They
do not believe the Sagasta ministry even
If 1t Is ready to bow to all the American
demands, is strong enough to contend with
the rising storm of Spanish pride, or the
half yelled menaces of the army and the
Carlist pretender. So, conflict is expects
ed to be reached through Spain resenting
the action of America and by congress de-
claring that a state of war exists, as In |
the case of Mexico. The opinion of the
great majority of Englishmen Is that the
United States is indisputably right and
that she is only pursuing course identical
with Great Britain's historical policy, In
putting end to the appalling misgovern-
ment of Spain, which is wholly in the
wrong, and they point out that England in
a similar position would have been as
equally inf1amed by humane emotions as
America is at present.
Neutral Vessels In Event of War
The cabinet is expected to meet early.
next week and deal with the question of
neutral vessels III event OF war II is De-S
lieVed that some understanding will be
reached between the great powers and that
the United States is prepared to acquiesc6i
to certain conditions which will not impose
heavy burdens upon neutral governments.
Outside of Great Britain the feeling to-
wards the United States is distinctly hos
tile
The inspired organs on the continent
express indignation at the way the United
States has ignored the concerted powers
and speaks of the staggering American
self conceit."
The inherent dislike of the continental
monarchies for the great republic is due
to it's very great prosperity, which is inima
ical to the monarchial principle, and this
dislike is cropping out In all directions.
probably aided by thirst for chance for
colonizng or absorbing Spanish-America.
from which they are at present debarred
by the long arm of the republic
The fact seems to be that the continent
tai observers foresee the inevitable expan-
sion of Anglo-Saxonism.
Big Naval Engagement
British naval experts discredt the reports
that the United States will frtter away
her forces by a simultaneous attack upon
the different Spanish colonies. They point
out that Spain has shown her appreciation
of the most important element of naval
strategy. namely, that sea power can only
be upheld by combined fleet BY her con-
centrating formidable force at the Cape
Verde islands the naval men anticipate
that a big engagement between the COM
bined fleets will be fought in the neighbour
hood of Porto Rico.
There is intense excitement among the
American colony here The thirst for in
formation is so great that private news
service has been arranged. American la
dies are discussing the question of organic
ing to assist the wounded after war is de-
clared.