The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-13
THE STORY NOT BELIEVED.
A Spauish-Frcnch Alliance Not Con-
si-tent with Conditions.

There were very few members of Con
gress at the Capitol yesterday, neither
House being in session. Those who did
put in an appearance lounged about the
cloak and committee rooms exchanging
stories or attending TO personal business.
The Americans Spanish situation was nat
urauy the most important subject dis
cussed by the members and they were
unanimous in the opinion that the dis
patches from Havana and Madrid to the
effect that an alliance had been affected
by Spain with France could not be true
They said that the two governments may
have come to some agreement respecting
European affairs. but that France would
never deliberately enter into any al
lance with Spain which would in the
slightest degree affect the close friendship
that has existed between France and
America for 50 many years.
why" said a member, 'it seems to me
to be absurd to consider such PROPOSE
ton for q moment. While | nave no other
information on the subject than the press
dispatches. still | cannot bring myself
TO believe that France has signed such
a protocol as has been asserted. The
interests Of a few bondholders in France
is not strong enough in my judgment. to
induce that great republic to ally herself
against the American Republic, which
she so nobly assisted to create. W hen the
truth is finally known, ] believe 1t VIII
show that Spain has made oVertures to
every foreign power for an alliance, and
that in each case the propositions have
been declined France could gain nothing
nv aiding Spain in a war with America,
and would lose much.
IF the French republic is anxious for
Il war IT is no. with this Government she
Will seek it. She has at the present time,
as much as she can attend to with the
other European governments. France Is
too enIighlcnea as TO the European situa-
ton and the wonderful resources Of this
country to be so foolish as to tangie her
self with Spain a bankrupt and iitth-rate
Dovcr. whose sun has set When france
makes an alliance with a nation 1t IS to
he ,;trcngt hened and not weakened. ana 10
be entaneled by Spain into possible Wat
with America would 50 weaken the
French Republic that it would become
an easy prey for any OF the great powers
| that is eager and anxious to do battle
! with her.
! "Then. too. the consequence of an al
| lance with Spain against America. 9
| most unnatural one. would, in my JGdS
! ment result in a general European war
which would result in such devasta
! ton Of that continent that even to think
| of it is appalling. | am not trained
diplomat and do not undertake to say
how the different European nations wOulC
stand in the event of such a war blu
! do believe that America would be forced
| into it. Great Britain, with its usua
long-sighted diplomacy. has already ap
Dreciated this fact, as may be readily
| understood from the overtures that ha
been made by that government to thu
Administration for an alliance. for Grea
| Britain, better than any other foreign ma
ton. knows that today America is tn
| most powerful nation in peace or war Oh
the globe. This country need not be dis
turbed about any rumors Of an ailianc
between Spain and France, for in m.
Judgment, France would not listen to an.
| such overtures for a moment"