The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-04-05
POWERS OF EUROPE
EXCHANGING NOTES LOOKING
TO MEDIATION
GOOD OFFICES OF THE POPE
Tend Toward Arbitration Between
the Insurgents and Spain-No
Definite Offer Made
Associated Press Special Wire

| Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, April 4, $40 p.m.-It has
just been learned here definitely that an
exchange of notes between the great pow
ers Of Europe has begun concerning medi-
| alton on tho Spanish-American question
At least two of the embassies in Washing
| ton have received news that this exchange
| is now in progress, but no definite instruc-
lions have been received by the diplomatic
] representatives here.
| PAPAL MEDIATION
| WASHINGTON, April Ain view of the
sensational character of the news from
Madrid one Of the officials in consultation
with the President was induced to look
over the press bulletins. When he read
one which said that the United States and
Spain had agreed to select the Pope az
mediator and that the Pope had accepted
the position, he said with emphasis:
"This country has not asked the Pope
to mediate. Every one knows that the
Pope of Rome, like every other Christian
man, would like to avoid war If possible
That fact has been repeatedly published
1t Is known to the administration, unoffl-
cially, Of course, but only that way. The
| President has not been asked to submit the
dispute to the Pope and he certainly has
never made such an offer. Spain and the
Pope may have been negotiating, but that
does not affect US. You can deny the story
| officially and in the fullest possible man.
| ner."
From another source 1t was learned that
the efforts of the Pope have tended toward
arbitration between the Spanish and the
| insurgents rather than between the Span
ish and the United States. 1t is said on
good authority that If the President was
looking for a mediator he would be more
likely to take the Queen of England than
the Pope. The Monroe doctrine expressly
forbids any possible interference by Eu-
ropean powers in American affairs and the
Pope has never yet given up his claim to
temporal power. 1t has been understood
here that the first effort of the Pope was
to induce Spain to give up Cuba peaceably
and these efforts are supposed to be the
ones referred to in the Madrid dispatch.
DR.. Rocker, Secretary of the Papal Lega-
ton in Washington. was walked up at mid
night and asked about the report. He said
II place no dependence in it. 1t is not the
custom Of the Pope to offer his services in
any matter of this kind. Any negotiations
for such mediation must of necessity come
from the countries interested. 1t would
be necessary for Spain to notify her Min
lister here to lay the matter before Presi-
dent Mckinley. If the President asked the
Pope to mediate it might be done. and no.
otherwise. have never heard of any ne
gotiations in any manner"
AN ARMISTICE EXPECTED
MADRID, April g. Sunday, $3.50 p. M
TNoIo L.
moving rapidly, and the best informed peo-
pie here believe an armistice between the
Spanish and Cubans will be proclaimed
within two days.
The Pope, 1t now appears, sent an elo.
quent telegram to the Queen Regent, urg-
ing Spain to grant an armistice to Cubs
in view of allowing negotiations to be car
ried on between the insurgents and the
Cuban authorities for the early conclusion
of a permanent peace. The Pope urged
that her Majesty take action on humane
and not political grounds. The Pope ad-
ded that "as the father of all the faithful"
he could not intervene until stop was put
to the shedding of blood of those who are
Gods sons"
Therefore, he asked for suspension of
hostilities.
Previous to taking this action, it is adj
ded, the Pope, through a representative
of Washington, asked President Mckinley
II 1t would be agreeable to him should the
Pope advise the Queen Regent to grant an
armistice, and it is understood the Presi-
dent expressed his willingness that the
Pope should do anything in his power
Since then, it is claimed, as result Of all
the representations made to Spain on the
subject Senior Moret the Minister for the
Colonies, had an interview with United
States Minister Woodford today Sunday,
at which he expressed Spains willingness
to grant an immediate armistice. He point