The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-04-07
Ambassadors at Washington Said
to Have Agreed Upon a Form
of Suggestion
Which Will Be Presented to the
Government If Circumstances
Warrant.
Stated Also That the Pope's
Hopes of Success Have Been
Raised.

from reliable diplomatic source that
the ambassadors and ministers of the
great powers of Europe stationed in
Washington and representing Great
Britain, France, Germany, Austria
and Italy, at a meeting held at the
British embassy, agreed upon the sub
stantial terms of joint note rendering
the good offices Of the powers to avert
war between the United States and
Spain. So far as can be learned the
note has not yet been presented and it
10 understood that its presentation
depends ON the seriousness Of the stu
alton as developed within the next
few hours. On the same reliable
authority it is stated that the actual
text Of the note, to some extent, was
agreed upon, if indeed it was not made
up in its entirety. Il is said not to
contain the word mediation" but in
more diplomatic terms and in the most
friendly spirit it suggests the good Of
ices OF the powers.
1t is understood also that the main
purpose Of this concerted action is to
defer the war crisis for at least a
few days during which mature action
may be shaped. This reported action
by the powers is entirely distinct from
such steps as Pope Leo may be taking
toward the same general end.
Kept Movements Very Quiet.
The course of the ambassadors and
ministers, as we'll as the movements
within the last "a hours, have been sur
rounded with uncommon measures Of
caution and secrecy. 1t is care which
diplomatists know how to exercise
with. even greater rigor than Other
ofkcials. It was known that q meeting
had been held at the British embassy
Late in the afternoon, but all those par.
| tioipstinR were 30 secretive after it had
occurred that no hint escaped as to its
purpose beyond the inference that it
concerned the critical condition of
Spanish. American affairs. 1t was
not until 10 o'clock a. M, however,
that it became known to those having
access to inner diplomatic circles, that
the discussion at the embassy took a
definite line, and that the course of
procedure as well as its form was not
only discussed but largely decided
upon. OF course, any such action could
be taken only as a result of instructions
from the several foreign offices of
Europe, and apparently the mode and
time of execution of any instructions is
now committed to the ambassadors
and ministers at Washington, but as
stated, these instructions are very
limited and merely designed to Sc
cure peace, if possible, by the use
of European good offices. There was
the same complete reticence in
all diplomatic action during the morn.
ing and such action as may have been
taken was not followed by any further
conferences or concerted moves during
the early part of the day. Fer the time
being the ambassadors and ministers
were turning their attention to the
capitol, and were awaiting with deep
interest the presidents message and its
effect upon congress. Most Of the for
eign establishments were deserted by
II o'clock in order to gain advantage in
the diplomatic gallery in the senate
aud house. The British ambas-
sador started for the cap.
i,ol shortly before noon. and
was followed by practically the
eli ire staff of the embassy. The
French am .assador and his staff were
among the few who did not go to the
capitol.