Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-04-08
A%TTITUDEOF EUROPE
NEUTRAL UNLESS UNITED STATES Eff
FECTS BRITISH ALLIANCE.

In No Danger from Europe.
IF President Mckinley had effected
an understanding or tacit alliance with
Great Britain, as was proposed the 9th.
er day by Sir Julian Pauncefote, he
would have made a great and almost ir.
reparable blunder. Fortunately the
president was too astute to be caught in
such a trap"
The foregoing words were spoken to
me by an important member Of the diplo-
matte corps, the representative Of one
Of the great nations of Europe, and some
valuable information concerning the at
titude and relations Of the various for
eign powers vas given by the diplo-
matist who is quoted above.
Russia has an understanding with
Spain that should Japan threaten the
Philippines the czar will interfere ao-
lively" he said. "This entente, not be-
ing generally known, caused the expires.
sion of the imperial purpose Of Russia
in the Videmosti on Nov. 10 to be
much misunderstood. The .czar, having
been approached by Spain, announced in
his organ:
THE minister of foreign affairs re-
GENTLY informed his excellenoy the en-
bassador from Spain that in the event
of war between the United States and
Spain growing out of the Cuban insur-
rection the government Of the ozar is
compromised to support neither side,
but will observe q strict neutrality up
to a certain point
"The certain point is that if Japan
should take advantage Of the situation
to seize the Spanish possessions in the
orient the zar would feel himself called
upon to intervene to prevent the agglan-
dizement Of Japan. Reasons for this
course are obvious. Reasons are just as
obvious why the czar would remain
strictly neutral between Spain and the
United States.
ut behooves the United States at this
time to understand the reason of the
new alignment Of the powers of Eu-
rope" continued the diplomat. "Dur-
ing the last 100 years Great Britain has
pursued a policy Of aggression. Every
spot on earth that seemed capable Of
only weak defense was being brought
under her power. 1t is not unreasonable
to assert that had England been permit
ted to carry on her programme for SO
years more practically all Of Africa,
the richer parts Of Asia and many is
lands Of the sea would have fallen I'M
der her dominion, and she would have
been strong enough to have dominated
the world.
Individual nations Of Europe had
begun to follow her example, but when
the Greek war was deliberately foment-
ed for the purpose of embroiling and
weakening the continental sovereignties
a halt was called, and it was determined
to oppose to her plans a concert Of ma
tions and to circumscribe her audacious
efforts wherever possible. For this rea-
son the new triple alliance has been
formed by France, Germany and Russia.
Peace in Europe they will maintain,
but the boundaries Of the British empire
have been stretched to their utmost lin.
it until she can conquer Europe.
"This has simply been a matter Of
self preservation. No European nation
except Great Britain has anything to
fear from the ambition of the United
States. The United States has nothing
to fear from any of the continental ma.
tions. but she has everything to fear
from an alliance, quasi or open, with
Great Britain. Under no circumstances
could the United States be the English
catspaw.
Following the ostentatious visit Of
Sir Julian P%auncefote to the president, "
continued this member Of the diplomat
10 corps, "there was some irritation in
Europe. Happily the American people
have repudiated the scheme, and the ad-
ministration has delicately but effect
lively assured the world that it is not in
search Of an ally. The continental ma
tions have therefore returned to their
old positions. Russia's programme l
have already made plain. Germany has
within the last few days renewed it's
declaration of neutrality between the
United States and Spain.
France is laboring to protect her
financial interests in Spain, but is d.
ing it with an eye friendly to the Unit.
ed States. While she exerts herself for
peace she expresses no hostile purpose
If the United States sees fit to avenge |
her honor or to take such measures as /
necessary for her peace and quietude, !
though France would naturally like to
have the financial interests Of her citi-
Gems considered IS much as possible in |
the Cuban settlement.
Austria has more than once assured
not only the United States but the
concert Of Europe that the relationship
Of the queen regent Of Spain and the
Austrian reigning family will not affect
national policies. When Queen Chris
tina married into the Spanish house,
she relinquished all claims upon Aus
tria except those Of family sympathy. |
these assurances have been given by
European governments. The countervail. I
ing proposition Of Great Britain to place
her feet at the dispoal, of the United
States is not Of particular moment.
ut may be asserted that the United
States is in no danger from continental
While the nations Of Europe
would deplore war between Spain and
United States because in the present
state Of the armament Of the powers
any war 10 dangerous for all, and while
are now doubtless trying by diplo-
matic pressure to restrain Spain, yet
here IL no purpose to coerce the United
States OF thwart her SO long as the pres.
ant balance Of power in Europe ia not
disturbed by the weight Of her influence
one side OF the other. II might be
that Spain would find allies IL ENGLAND