The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-04-04
Will NOT INTERFERE.
Continental Powers Not Pre-
pared to Quarrel With Us.


walter welimsn Interviews Europesn
Embasssdor. Who Gives an Illuminating
View OF the situation In It's Interna-
tionAI Aspects-Prospect Of Mediation.
WASHINGTON. April 8. Especial. i
There Is much talk about foreign inter
vention between Spain and the United
States, and also about mediation. The lat
ter is quite likely II hostilities should go
on for a few weeks, but the former 10 SO
improbable that 1t need scarcely be con-
sidered. had a talk the other day with
ono of the most important diplomatists In
this capital. He Is an ambassador and the
representative of one of the greatest Euro
pean powers. He plainly said to me that
there was no danger OF any European In
tervention in Spain's behalf. England
was naturally with the United States, but
the continental powers had a natural sym
patty with Spain. But they would not
Interfere, for the simple reason that any
one of them values the friendship of the
United States much more-vastly more
than that of Spain. At Madrid they have
sought allies in vain. Every power In
Europe would be glad to make an ally OF
the United States.
Mediation Is another thing. IL Is no I'M
usual thing for governments to offer medi-
alton after hostilities have continued for
some time. But an offer of mediation
means nothing unless both of the com-
batants are willing to accept It. II they
are not willing, they say SO, and the war
they accept, and II It can be arranged an
armistioe is declared and negotiations for
peace are entered upon. II there should
be month rs hostilities between Spain and
the United States, 1t may be- expected such
an offer of mediation will be made and
accepted. BY that time Spain will doubt
less be pretty well whipped. There will
be nothing for the United States to gain
by carrying the war any further, and
Spain could only increase her losses.
As master Of the military situation tho
United States would also be master OF the
diplomatic situation when negotiations
were entered upon, as 1t Is well settled
rule that to the victor belongs realiza-
ton of all the advantages his military
prowess may have gained for him. For
these reasons the best opinion here, both
In government and diplomatic circles, Is
that there is no probability of long war
between Spain and the United States.
Many would be surprised II 1t continued
more than q couple of months, and some
would look to see 1t brought to an end by
mediation and negotiation In half that
time.
Nevertheless rumors of threatened Euro.
pean Intervention continued to be circu-
lated Members of the diplomatic corps
here are tired denying these stories. The
consensus of opinion of among them Is d.
rectly opposite to the expressions that are
industriously cabled to this country from
Europe. 1t Is instanced that remarks have
been attributed to the German emperor,
which he has taken the pains personally
to deny. All the official German papers
have printed detailed statements to the
contrary. The German-American press has
followed suit. ambassador White has dis
credited the rumor, but 1t Is persistently
put forth and seems now only to be on Its
first rounds.
Opinions of the Diplomats.
The following Is about the composite
| opinion of the diplomatic corps, here gath
| cred from the most authoritative sources:
None of the European nations proposes
| to intervene. The United States must set
tie the matter in its own way. There are
| too many complications to permit Of med
| ding. These are First, Ii would be very
foolish thing for any self respecting ma
ton to INTERCEPT it's opinion between the
] United States and Spain In the settlement
! of the dispute concerning the Maine. This
| Is obvious. Second, the wiser European
| nations recognize that the whole American
| people without regard to party would bit
I terly resent any doctrine or movement
| that would even seemingly interfere with
the operation Of the Monroe doctrine.
They do not assent to that policy, but will
steadily refuse to irritate the just and
proper pride of the United States, and es
peoially will they be wary of rufIling race
pride or coercing the heartfelt aspirations
of the nation.
1t has been before stated In this dispatch
that the only action of European nations
would be at the proper time to tender theil
good Offices as peacemakers, but the proper
time for this step will be after decisive
hostilities and not under the present cir
cumstances.
Vain Intervention.
II hopes are entertained In any quarter
that mediation will be proffered befor,
that event, they had better for the sake o.
speedy peace be abandoned. Combined
Europe attempted to avert the Greco
Turkish war. Since that time the concer
1
, uate certain territory on the Greoian sid
of the new strategic boundary. Turke!
still holds this country. The powers wer
equally powerless to control the action o
} Turkey during the Armenian episode
Unless this intervention took the form o
armed force 1t would be useless, and con
ditions are such as to make 1t extremel,
delicate to organize any movement tina
D would not seriously endanger the peace o
Europe.
In the American Spanish situation tn
powers only have q collateral and indirec
Q interest They would not be so foolish a
q to interfere In such matter, complicate
a as 1t Is by such delicate phases of nationa
life and character. They have troubl
enough of their own and are very bus
8 watching one another.
b The Cuban situation may be tragic bu
a II does not come home to Germany, Rut
STA, France or Austria. Bald interventio
would not carry results There Is there
, fore no intention, immediate or ultimate
n to interfere except under tho cirounl