The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-31

matte quarter that the Spanish govern
ment, within the last ten days, had ad-
dressed a rote TO the great powers of
Europe. fully setting forth the grave
aspect Of the controversy with the
United States and at least inferentially
suggesting that the time was now op-
perfume for European influences to be
exe-ted
It is said that this note led to the ut
terance OF Premier HanOtauX in the
French chamber last Saturday. and has
been the cause of activity at European
capitals within the last few days, in
connection with SpaniSh-American af-
fairs. Up TO the present time. however,
no actual step toward mediation or in
PREVENTION has been taken by any for
eign power. although there is little
doubt that France stands ready to take
the initiative if there is the slightest
evidence that the United States gov
erEment will view such move with
favor.
The French ambassador at Washing
ton, n. CambOn. has received no def
mite instructions directing him to ten
der the good offices of France.
POSITION OF FRANCE.
|. At the same time. the ambassador.
taking the cue from the remarks of
Premier HanOtaux. has called on Judge
Day and has said that if this govern
ment at any time feels that the French
government can aid in averting the
present crisis and maintaining peace,
he has no doubt that France will read
lily undertake to exert such. good Of
fees as will be acceptable to both pow
ers. This, as stated. is not a formal
tender by the French government. for
as yet the French ambassador has re-
ceived no positive instructions, but it
clearly marks the tendency in the case
Of France TO act as mediator in the
present emergency at any moment. It
is possible the suggestions have not
taken a more formal form, owing 10
the delicate character of such over
lures. A tender of good offices is one
of the last resorts OF diplomacy, when
all other means of averting war seem
TO be at an end. This adds additional
difficulty. from the fact that when two
nations are involved in a crisis, any
external influence may be resented as
an intrusion. There is reason to be-
lieve that the French authorities are
fully conscious of these delicate and
difficult phases. and that no step viii
he made unless il is clearly apparent
in advance that the United States de-
sires the friendly offices Of other ma
tions.
AUSTRIA AND SPAIN.
The Spanish government has earnest
/ ly hoped within the last week that
some of the European powers. and
more likely Austria or France. would
take the initiative without waiting to
consult the desires of this government
This hope has proved vain. however
and it is said today on high authority
/ that recent negotiations in Europe have
disclosed positively that while the
sympathy of some of the continental
powers was toward Spain. not one Of
them stood ready to espouse her cause
by mediation or by arms. Most has
/ been expected of Austria. owing to the
dynastic relations between Austria and
Spain. Up to the present time, how
ever. Austria has not felt ready to take
the initiative. The reports from Vi
emma last night that the Austrian min
lister of foreign affairs. Count Golu-
chowski, had instructed the Austrian
representative at Washington to CO.
operate in the steps TO be taken by
France, are not borne out by any ac-
tual developments which have thus far
I occurred here The Austrian minister
has not been at the state department
the present week, nor have any sug-
gestiOns in this line been received by
the state department from him. 1t is
a passing coincidence that the French
ambassador. the Austrian minister and
the Spanish minister are more closely
associated together than any other
diplomats in the corps.
INFORMATION PROHIBITED.
The greatest secrecy prevails in many
of the bureaus of the war and navy
departments in regard TO the various
/ projects of defense and naval move
ments now going on. and the officials
in many cases positively refuse to
make public steps that have been de-
4 termined upon.
The most notable instance of this
kind probably is in the navy depart
ment. where Captain CrOwninshield Of
the bureau of navigation has issued an
order fOrbidding subOrdinateS to make
I public any information except on per-
mission from himself. The order is as
/ follows:
Officers. clerks and all employees Of
/ the bureau are forbidden to make pub
| lie any information concerning the
movements of ships. orders to officers
or other official business of the bureau.
except they have personal and explicit
| information from me-