Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-27
REPORT IN LONDON.
LITTLE HOPE THAT HosTITITIEs
CAN ne AvERrED.
Uniess Spain Pockets Her over
wecning Conccif, Rapture
Mast Come-The Far East Trou-
Bile.

copyrighted. 1898, by the Associated
prcss)
LONDON, March 25.--Aithough public
opinion on this side Of the Atlantic a:
in America, has already discounted the
finding OF the United States court Of In
quiry into the loss OF the Maine, ano
actual confirmation was expected, the
verdict has only served TO whct people
appctitcs. So intense IS the interest IN
the turn OF the Kaleidoscope, that II has
greatly increased the tension There Is
little hope here that hostilities can be
avcrted. though 81 is still regarded as
possible that Spain. at the last moment
WIZ see the hopelessness Of maintaining
her position. and yield to the inevls bic.
Ii is at last realized here that the move
ment 10 end the Cuban scandal Is no
longer in the hands OF the jingoes; but
that the solid sentiment OF the United
States bids the Executive to act when the
proper moment arrives; that the risks
have been estimated. and that the great
body OF Americans arc ready TO face
them. SO far as II Is possible t. ascer-
tain the general diplomatic situation, 1t
can be summed UP in the words Of a
Foreign Office official, who remarked:
",rhe preservation OF peace depends
upon the temper Spain displays when the
Inevitable notification is delivered. The
President proposes TO relieve the sufferers
by distributing food clothes, and ma
chimes. from American warships and
transports. precisely as Great Britain Is
now unoflicially, and on a smaller scale,
doing in Crete. and unless Spain pockets
her overwhelming conceit which has
hitherto made the recognition OF her
failure impossible 20 her, q rupture must
come from that quarter, as SPANS pre-
tensions Of preparedness for war. and her
Finance Minister'S assurance that she
has sufficient funds therefor, are equally
untenable. unless the latter contemplates
the immediate suspension OF specie pay
ments. and the payment Of the interest
on the debt in paper. The truth Is, that
Spain is no more in a position TO fight
the United States than was Greece 10
fight Turkey. The one great hope Of the
European countries is. that TIE President
will succeed in delaying the explosion
until under the guise Of autonomy, ar
rangements may possibly be made 10
facilitate SPANS giving up Cuba. The
suggestion Of the continental press of in
PREVENTION upon the part of European
Powers is mischievous and nothing is
more certain TO provoke hostilities.'
According TO Madrid advices. the papers
there are whistling loudly. trying to !
arouse a sense Of wrong, with the doc
trine that war de facto was declared when |
the United States permitted support to |
be furnished TO the insurgents
Mystery is sin the chief |
stock-in-trade OF the Foreign Office, but |
its big words and apparently craven ac- |
tions no longer satisfy the public, and |
Conservatives and Liberals are equally |
alarmed at the apparent failure OF British |
IL. In " l.
aims open door" has been slammed in
her face.
Unless the government, early in the /
week. clearly outlines its position, it VIII
probably be compelled 20 take the coun-
try into its confidence by a motion for the
adjournment Of the House of Commons
which many Unionists will support.