Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-06

ter in Favor OF Spain, Renders it
Very Unlikely That ths United
States Would Accept Any Offer
They Might Make-An Offer from
the Pope Said to Have Been De-
clined-The Situation in Madrid.
Spain May Be Preparing for a
Back Down.
London, April 5.-The movement of
the powers Of Europe for a joint offer
of mediation between the United
States and Spain has received a severe
and probably fatal rebuff in the form
of a definite refusal upon the part of
the British government to participate
in it,
Many conflicting and erroneous hints
regarding this scheme to bring the
Hispano-American quarrel under the
Jurisdictions of the concert of Eu
rope have been teegraphed from the
different European capitals. From the
highest authorities the Associated
Press has obtained an outline of the
details Of the movement, as learned
by London diplomats
The project is distinctively of Span
ish origin and was set on foot by two
influences, official and personal, the
former requesting the good offices of
the chancellors of Europe to prevent,
while the Queen Regent attempted per-
sonally to influence the sovereigns.
1t is understood that the tenor OF
these communications was to the effect
that European interests are threaten
ed by what Spain terms the preten-
sions of the United States to the right
to interfere in colonial matters"
France, not Austria, was CHE prime
mover in the suggested mediation and
by her counsel it was suggested to
the British foreign Office that the pow
ers unite in a note to the United
States and Spain Offering to mediate
in the disputes between these two
countries. Great Britain, however, def
initely refused to join in the move
ment, stating in substance that the
Cuban question did not concern her.
While it was not actually announced
that Great Britain sympatNzes with
American intervention to end the war
in Cuba, such sympathy is a fact.
Communications looking to mediation
are still ching exchanged among the
continental powers, but they recognize
that Great Britain's refusal t1 coop
crate will rob the movement Of much
Of its weight.
The Emperor of Austria is the most
deeply interested from certain stand
points. but financial interests seem to
have actuated France even more than
dynastic interest actuated Emperor
Francis Joseph.
Emperor William of Germany is
known to be lukewarm in the matter,
but there is reason to believe he has
learned that the majority OF Germans
are unwilling that Germany should
oppose the United States.
1t is still uncertain whether the con-
tinental powers will finally offer medl-
alton Now that Great Britain mas
cold-shouldered the matter, the dlplo-
mats do not believe the United States
would accept such an offer, the COM
bination being so evidently biased IN
favor of Spain that Spain would gladly
submit her quarrel to such tribunal.
The chief importance of the move
ment, in the opinion of a diplomat who
is conyersant with the situation, is
that it probably will have the effect OF
widening the cleaverage between
Great Britain and other nations and OF
STRENGTHENING the growing sympathy
and community Of interests OF the
United States and Great Britain.
A special dispatch from Rome says
a telegram received at the Vatican
from the United States has announced
tha failure Of the Pope's intervention
II saws that President Mckinley show
cd himself extremely sensible OF the
Initiative taken by the Pontiff, but II
was impossible for him TO overcome
the nreiudice. even though unjust, en-
fertained by majority Of the Amer
lean people against the Vatican IN
taryention in political affairs.
According to this dispatch the Pope
| ie Disseminated at the reception or MS
oyertures in America, but IS not us
couraged.'
The dispatch adds: "This morning
| His Holiness dispatched cable or hve
hundred words to Archbishop ireland
urging increased efforts in the inter
est If peace and further immediate
rnnresentations to President Mckin-
lev An important conference mas
| been called fer this afternoon. Arcn-
bishops Keane and O'Conneil VIII at
| tend f,o,,,
The dispatch says the message from
The United States to Rome, winch is
alleged to have been sent by President
Mckinley. added that ''he was opposed
70 war now as in the past, and would
sill do all possible to avoid having re-
course TO such a lamentable eXpedient,
which he considered to be unworthy
of civilized countries, but he could no'
do so against the sentiment OF the ma
tion which claimed the independence
of C,1ba and a cessation OF the horrors
which have been going on for three
wears in that unhappy island.
The Pope's initiative is based prln-
cinallv upon the fact that Spain, when
she asked for the good offices OF the
Mowers. also asked for the Popes good
| Offices. The interposition has thus lai