Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-04
This Country Has Not Considered
Such An Offer.
INFLUENCE STRONGEST At MADRID
Godfather of the Young King Of
Spain.
HIS DESIRE FOR PEACE

1t was stated on high authority today
that no offer Of meditation had been made
by Pope Leo XIII to the United States,
and that therefore no such offer had either
been accepted, rejected or considered 1t
is said in this connection that the Vatican
never makes a tender of its services as
mediator or arbitrator, and that it Is given
only when nations seek the mediation Of
the pope. There is little doubt, however,
that unofficial representations have been
made of the deep interest felt by the pope
In the preservation of peace. Just what
form this has taken is not known, except
that it is not an offer of the pope's media
tiCn In any event, 1t is pointed out, the
influences toward a peaceful settlement are
far different from formal proposition of
mediation. The latter Is a well regulated
procedure under the forms of International
law.
The Vatican has its complete temporal
organization, including secretary of state,
and, in the event of such mediation, 1t
would take a definite and official form &C.
coIding to the requirements of international
law. This was the case when Pope Leo
became mediator between Spain and Ger
many in the controversy over the Caroline
islands In that case the popes mediation
vas not offered, but after the two contend
ing parties agreed on mediation by the
Vatican the office was undertaken. SINH
lar conditions have not arisen in the pres
ent case. 1t is believed that at most the
influence of Rome will be confined to ex-
pressions of desire for peace.
The POpe's Influence Mt Madrid.
There Is reason to believe, however that
the pope's influences are being exerted
much more directly and with greater effect
at Madrid than at Washington? Pope Leo
is the godfather of Alphonso XIII, the
young king of Spain, and Pope Pious TX
was the godfather of Alphonso XII, the
late king of Spain. This partly indicates
the great influence which the Vatican ex-
ercises over the Spanish dynasty, the royal
family and the country at large being thor
oughly Catholic. Owing to this, however.
1t is not doubted that the pope's influences
would be most important, and probably de-
cisive in inducing Spain to make every
concession possible toward the maintenance
OF peace. Furthermore. it is known Of
ficially that these influences are being
exerted at the present moment. and that
they give some promise Of being productive
of results.
Mediation Unacceptable.
This government has not invited and will
not accept mediation between ourselves
and Spain. The attitude of the United
States has all along been that of mediator.
1t Is supposed that Sagasta in making the
announcement of the accepted mediation
OF the pope was actuated by a purpose to
drive this government from the attitude of
mediator to that of aggressor 1t is a bit
OF characteristic Spanish diplomacy. This
government appeared in this controversy
as mediator. seeking to restore peace be-
tween Spain and Cuba and to put an end
to the barbarous horrors on the Island of
Cuba This caused Spain to assume an
aggressive attitude toward the United
States. the mediator. The United States
cannot now call in another mediator to
pass upon its methods of mediation.
The absurdity of such a complex and
multiplied mediation is so apparent that no
foreign power has ventured to make a sug-
gestion of 1t to the United States
The mediation offered by the pope is be-
tween Spain and Cuba, with a knowledge
that 1t will not be effective unless it Is
based On the independence of Cuba.