The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-17
German Government, However, Will
Remain Neutral, Despite the Raw
ings of the Press.
NO CONCERT" OF POWERS
BRITAIN AND GERMANY BOTH OP-
POSED TO JOINT ACTION.
France and Austria, However, still
Persevering in Their Efforts in
behalf of the Spaniards.
Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Press)

Copyright, 1898 by the Associated Press.)
LONDON, April 16.-After a momentary
fit OF. depression there has been a sudden
recrudescence of optimism in banking cir
cles, notably among the banks closely al
lied with the United States Four-ffths of
the people, however, expect war. and think
1T will be an Improvement on the present
state of uncertainty. They do not believe
the Sagasta Ministry, even if it is ready to
bow to all the American demands, is strong
enough to contend with the rising storm of
Spanish pride or the half-veiled menaces
of the army and the Carlist pretender So,
a conflict is expected to be reached through
Spain resenting the action of America and
by Congress declaring that a state of war
exists, as in the case of Mexico.
The hidebound anti-freedom doctrinaires,
who are pretending to censure Congress
and President Mckinley, are received with
open expressions of vexation and even dis
gust. The opinion of the great majority of
Englishmen is that the United States is in
disputably right, and that she is only pur-
suing a course identical with Great Brit
aims historical policy in putting an end to
the appalling misgovernment of Spain,
which is wholly in the wrong, and they
point out that England. in a similar posi-
humane emotions as America is at present.
Tkis feeling was exemplifed at the Liberal
banquet at Plymouth, yesterday evening,
when Mr. William Alexander Macarthur,
member of Parliament, a former lord of the
treasury, was heartily cheered when he
said: Il do not think England has any right
to throw stones at Congress. Englishmen
should only applaud the noble indignation
OF America at the horrors daily presented
: during the last two years"
a prominent statesman who was asked
to sum up the hopes and fears experienced
by himself and by his colleagues replied:
1--WE have hoped throughout the crisis that
hostiIities would be averted. We believe
war will ruin Spain, seriously burden the
United States. cause more losses to Ameri-
cans than they expect and that European
complications may arise, constituting a new
and lasting danger to the peace of the
world. We can only hope that the conflict
will be short and decisive, and that it will
not be followed in Spain by "a Carlist or an
Anarchist revolution. Once war is begun
there can be doubt to which side En-
glish sympathes will be on Spain is in
competent, corrupt and decadent. while the
United States is intervening in the cause
Of humanity and is setting salutary ex-
ample to Europe"
The Cabinet is expected to meet early
next week and deal with the question of
neutral vessels in the event of war 1t is
believed some understanding will be
reached between the great powers, and that
the United States is prepared to acquiesce
to certain conditions which will not i'm
pose heavy burdens upon neutral govern
ments.
Outside of Great Britain the feeling
towards the United States is distinctly hos
tile. The inspired government organs of
the continent express indignation at the
way the United States has ignored the
concerted powers and speak of the "swag-
gering American self-conceit." The in
herent dislike of the continental monarchies
FOR the great republic is due to its very
great prosperity, which is inimical to the
monarchical principle, and this dislike is
cropping out in all directions, probably
aided by the thirst for Il chance of coloniz-
Ing or absorbing Spanish America, from
which they are at present debarred by tAe
long arm of the republic. The fact seems
TO be that the continental observers foresee
the inevitable expansion of Anglo-Saxon-
ism.
British naval experts discredit the re-
ports that the United States will fritter
away her forces by simultaneous attack
upon the different Spanish colonies. They
point out chat Spain has shown her appre-
citation of the most important element of
naval strategy, namely that sea power can
only be upheld by 81 combined fleet. BY her
concentrating a formidable force at the
Cape Verde islands, the naval men antici-
pate that a big engagement between the
combined fleets will be fought in the neigh
bcrhood OF Porto Rico.
There is intense excitement among the
members of the American colony here. The
THIRST for information is so great that a
private news service has been arranged.
American ladies are discussing the question
of organizing to assist the wounded, imme-
diately after war is declared
II is understood that interesting questions
will come up in the House of Commons on
Monday relative to neutral ships in the
event of war.
a nrVy,ts