The Indianapolis journal., 1898-03-16
THE ATTITUDE OF EUROPEAN
GOVERNMENTS.

European powers in the event of war be-
tween the United States and Spain are
somewhat conflicting. There seems to be no
doubt that the Spanish government has
been quietly making efforts to obtain in
formation on this point, and possibly the
United States has also. Perhaps these ef-
forts by one or both governments may ac-
count for recent references to the subject
in European papers and in foreign corre-
spondence and cabIegrams 1t is likely that.
whatever efforts have been made by either
government have been largely tentative,
or in the nature of feelers, and that what
ever replies have been made have been
evasive or noncommittal. AS general rule
governments do not cross a bridge until
they get to it, and it would be undiplomatic.
to say the least, to declare definite posi-
tion or policy regarding a war which may
never occur, or which, if it does ever
occur, may be under quite different condi-
tions from those which exist now.
AS stated, the dispatches on the subject
are somewhat contradictory. Until within
the last few days their general drift has
been to the effect that while Spain would
doubtless have the latent sympathies of
continental European governments, she
would not receive any material or effectual
support from them. AS the Paris corre-
spondent of a London paper put it, French
support of Spain would not exceed platonic
sympathy" In war platonic sympathy does
not count. 1t can readily be understood why
all the continental European powers should
sympathize with Spain. Some of them
would do so for family reasons, and all for
political reasons. None of the European
governments has really friendly feeling
for the great Republic, because it is a stand
Imperialism the world over In any war
between the United States and a monarchy
the kings, kaisers, czars and divine-right
men Of high and low degree would stand
together, in sympathy at least, though
they might refrain from taking an active
part This relates especially to the conti-
mental powers. There is reason to believe
that in the present case Great Britain
would be an exception and that her SYM
pathies would be with the United States.
This is partly because she is somewhat iso-
lated politically from Europe, partly be-
cause Of Anglo-Saxon ties and partly be-
cause she would like to have the United
States for sympathetic ally.
The drift of foreign dispatches has been
as indicated until within a few days, but
those of yesterday contained some rather
pronounced expressions in favor of sorne-
thing more than mere platonic sympathy
for Spain. The Paris correspondent of the
London Times stated that the Austrian
Emperor is making great efforts to induce
the Europeon powers to present to the
United States the danger to Europe of their
carrying any further their interference in
Cuban affairs, and Emperor William is
warmly seconding the efforts of Emperor
Francis Joseph The leading paper at st.
Petersburg stated that in the event of
war 'All the European powers would SYM
pathize with Spain, if not actively, certain
ly by categorical protest against McKin-
ley's conduct" From another quarter, the
Vienna correspondent of the London Stand
ard declared that Austria and Germany
sympathize with Spain. If these dispatches
are reliable they indicate that European
sympathy for Spain has distinctly stiffened
within the last few weeks. The suggestion
that the European powers should enter "a
categorical protest against President Nc
Kinley's conduct is impertinently soffen-
sive, and the talk about the danger to Eu-
rope of the United States carrying any
further their interference in Cuban affairs
does the United States great injustice by
insnuating that its Cuban policy has been
one of interference whereas it has been
one of rare forbearance and strict neutral
ity at great cost to itself.
The future Cuban policy and action of
the United States government should be
shaped without any reference to the atti-
tude of European powers. We do not court
war, do not want it, and will do all that
is possible honorably to avoid it. A policy
shaped on that line, keeping right and
justice on our side, will make the United
States invulnerable to criticism or attack
We must not defy European sentiment but
in question involving the national honor
we should ignore it. The United States will
not demand anything more than what is
absolutely right and just, and it will not
be bulldozed into accepting anything less.
If the continental governments should take
up the cause of Spain we could depend upon
the aid of Great Britain and japan. and
with them for allies in naval war we
could whip the rest of the world and
sweep the seas of every other flag.