The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-05-30
WILL NOT ACT.
The Powers Propose to Let Us Fight L
Out.

Washington, May 28.-The diplomatic
representative In Washington of the
great powers Of Europe, without excep.
tion. hold the view that there is positive
y no change of foreign Intervention in
the present war and that there is no pres
ent prospect of peace overtures, through
arbitration or other tender of good Offices
from foreign sources. This view was
stated today at three of the leading en-
bassies. 1t was given with added empha-
| sis in view of the constant reiteration
from London and other foreign sources
that some sort of foreign Intervention
toward terminating the war was likely
to mature.
A distinguished member of the corps
summed up the general view entertained
in diplomatic circles here, substantially
as follows:
"There is much significance in the
present attitude of the powers, but it is
not the significance usually drawn from
the cable reports from Europe. 1t is the
inaction of the powers which is chiefly
significant, for this continued inaction
has now reached a point where it is
equivalent to a settled policy that there
will be no step toward intervention in the
present war. Not only is there no move.
ment at present, but it is practically as
sured that there will be no movement in
the future. In short, the two belligerents
are being left to solve their own difficult
ty and the authorities at Washington are
fully advised that they need have no ap.
prehension of foreign interference from
any quarter. This leaves your govern.
ment entirely free from the consideration
of any possible foreign ENHANCEMENT.
The reports that American occupation
of the Philippines, Porto Rico or Hawaii
might lead to concerted action of the
powers, or from some of them, is not
borne out by any official advices from
the other side. These show that there
is determination to maintain the pres
ent policy of inaction."
Referring to the attitude of the several
powers, it was stated that the course of
Great Britain, in its friendly demonstra-
lions toward the Unied States, was at
tracing much attention in official quar-
tiers. 1t was looked upon as entirely nat
ural that the United States should view
this with satisfaction as friendly demon
strations are particularly agreeable, when
nation is at war. But the continental
powers were convinced that no permanent
entente was possible between Great Brit
ian and the United States. They felt
that the sentiment for such an alliance
was confined to the upper Glasses in this
country and that the rank and file OF
the people, particularly the twenty mil
lion Irishmen and the ten million Ger
mans in this country, were not in favor
of it and would constitute an influence
quite sufficient to make it out of the
question. In view of the attitude OF
Great Britain, it was evident that she
would take part in any overtures for
mediation or peace should they develop
in the future
The position of Germany, it was point
ed out, was equally friendly to the Unit
ed States. The speech of Emperor William
in closing the Richstss recently, expressed
the determination to maintain strict
neutrality and unbroken friendship for
both belligerent powers.