The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-09
IN DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES.
How the Situation Is Viewed-NO
Moro Efforts at IeLinfinn

How the Situation Is Viewed-NO
More Efforts at Mediation.
WASHINGTON, March S.-Inqulry at the
foreign embassies and legations to-day
made it plain that the action of the great
powers yesterday in presenting a joint note
to President Mckinley urging peace con-
stituted all that these powers will do. There
is no present purpose to take further action
or to follow up this guarded and diplomatic
utterance with any suggestion of mediation
or Intervention. 1t is stated to-day by influ-
entail members of the diplomatic corps that
the joint note contained nothing between the
lines which indicated further purpose.
This was the view taken by the administra-
ton yesterday, and to-day this is fully
borne out by the attitude of the foreign
representatives, who are in close touch with
their foreign offices. 1t is important at the
present juncture in that it practically elm
mates the influence of the powers at Wash
il gton beyond a sentimental expression to-
ward peace. There is no doubt however
that these foreign influences will be strong
ly urged at Madrid towards securing fur
Their concessions, though the foreign repre-
sentatives here begin to doubt seriously
whether Spain is in a position to concede
any more. One of the best informed dip
lomatists tersely summed up the situation
to-day thus: Spain has placed her back
against the wall determined to yield no
more. Even the heroic efforts of the Queen
Regent toward peace, by granting extreme
concessions, seems to be overruled and the
radical element is in control
In connection with the action of the pow
crs, much interest is shown in the individ-
aul action of the several governments
which signed the joint note There is little
further doubt that the British ambassador,
rejecting the views of his government,
served as a repressive influence in keeping
the note down to a mild and polite express
sion for peace. 1t seems equally apparent
that, had the influence of the French am
bassador and the Austrian minister repre-
senting their governments, prevailed, the
note would have been considerably more
than a vague expression for peace. No sig
nificance is attached to the fact that the
German ambassador was the first to sign
the document and that the British ambas-
sador's signature is toward the end. 1t was
determined, when the signatures were at
tached, to take the countries alphabetically,
so that Allemagne Che French diplomatic
word for Germany came first with Aus
tria, France, Great Britain, Italy and Rus
STA signing IN the order named. Russia and
Italy have taken the least interest in this
Joint action; although they Joined as the the
the foreign capitals. Neither has the Ger
man government shown any ardent interest
in joint action.
1t developed to-day in diplomatic quar-
ters that the situation took a serious turn
late Wednesday night at Madrid, when Min
inSter WOodford sent a note to Senior Gull
lon minister of foreign affairs. At the
time the note was received the Spanish
Gaonet was IN session c1nsider th t the
tone of the note was regarded as impera-
tive. The letter was unofficial, and ad-
dressed personally to Senior Gullon, but the
ceived by diplomats here, believed that 1t
was to be construed as none the less official
Woodford subsequently withdrew the note.
stating that at the time il was written he
was not aware that PFesident Mckinieys
message had been deferred. Personal feel
ing was engendered by the note, however,
and is asserted to have continued notwith-
standing the withdrawal of the note.
The Spanish minister, Senior Polo, has re-
ceived no orders of any kind relating to his
withdrawal from Washington and this to
some extent indicates that Madrid has not
yet anticipated final break between the
two countries. In the event of a break,
however, little delay would be necessary in
making the arrangements for the with
drawal of the Spanish minister and his
staff. The archives are the most extensive
branch of the two establishments and the
official documents would take a day or two.
Most of the furnishings of the Spanish lega-
ton and the minister ; residence are a part
of the leasehold and would not be removed
In fact the archives and the personal be-
longings of the minister and his staff con-
Stitute about all that would require atten-
ton in case of closing of diplomatic rela-
TONS
1t is probable. in case of the withdrawal
of the minister, that the French ambassador
NJ. Cambon, will act temporarily in behalf
of Spain AS stated, however, the Spanish
minister has received no instructions con-
corning his withdrawal and, therefore has
begun no preparations in that line. The
minister's recent interview has now become
an official document, having been cabled by
Senior Polo to the Foreign Office at Madrid
as an indication of his views. 1t was ac-
companied by an expression of satisfaction
been presented The minister has also taken
occasion to inform the authorities, at Madrid
that there is no truth in the reports circu-
lated there of serious indignitieS to the
Spanish legation or to himself. While there
has been some petty annoyance it has come
mainly from small children and the min
lister has given 1t no attention.
The Italian cruiser Amerigo VeSpucci is
anchored in the Potomac a few miles down
the river below Washington. She is a cadet
practice cruise. She draws about seventeen
feet of water. There was considerable gos-
sip in naval and military circles regarding
the visit of this foreign vessel to this city
at this critical juncture. There was un-
confirmed gossip that the presence of this
vessel at this time was for the purpose of
using her as an asylum for the Spanish min
lister and his staff in case 1t was found i'm
practicable for them to leave the country
by the ordinary means bf travel Senior
ton was called to the rumor that the Yes
pucci might be here to take him away from
the country. characterized it absurd and
without any basis of fact.