The herald., 1898-06-05
RUSSIA READY TO ACT
GERMANY FLATLY REFUSES TO
ASSIST
COAL DEP0TS OFFERED FRANCE
Are Not Considered Valuable Enough
to Pay for the Loss of Ameri-
can Friendship
associated Press Special Wire

e'"SiosSu 1 AcSS OpeClal wire
BERLIN, June 4.-(Copyright, 1882 The
past week has witnessed important nego-
eiations between Germany, Russia and
france, Russia this time being the prime
mover for intervention in the Hispano-
American war. Upwards of a fortnight
ago Russia approached France with this
object In view by direct communication be-
tween the czar and Count Muravieff, the
Russian minister for foreign affairs, on the
one side. and President Faure and NJ Hano-
taux, the French minister for foreign af-
fairs, on the other. Although France at
the outbreak of the war was most anxious
TO bring about intervention, 1t is now posi-
lively said, Notwithstanding Russia's as
surances that she would back up any new
attempt that France has fatty refused to
participate in renewed efforts in this d.
rection. 1t was owing to this peremptofy
refusal, greatly at variance with Frances
former attitude, that Senor Leon Cas-
tillo, the Spanish ambassador to France.
went to Madrid, and direct negotiations be-
tween Spain and France were opened.
Senor Castillo has now returned to Paris.
bearing formal and specified offers Of the
exchange of definite understanding be-
tween the two powers in regard to the war;
The main feature of the Spanish offer is the
cession to France of number of coal
depots in the Balearic and Canary Islands.
which would be of immense service to
France in the event of a naval war In the
Mediterranean. 1t appears, however, most
doubtful whether France will accept this
offer, as the French government has about
concluded that preservation of the friend
ship of the United States is more important
than improving the relations of France
with Spain. No reply has vet been made
by France, either to Senior Castillo or to
the Spanish government. But there is
strong evidence that the reply, when made,
will not be what Spain desires.
In the meanwhile Russia has approached
Germany with similar offer to support
new effort at joint intervention Count Os-
tensacken, the Russian ambassador to Ger
many, has three lengthy interviews with
Baron Won Bueoff, the German minister for
foreign affairs, this week. But the corre-
spondent Of the Associated Press can state
that Germany has unequivocally refused
to join the proposed attempt at interven-
tion at the present juncture.
Emperor William who is fully informed
In regard to these negotiations, had long
conference with Baron Won Buelow (not
BuelofO on Wednesday, and fully endorsed
the latter's attitude.
The German government acutely feels
the anomalous position which has been
created by the fact that while the govern
ment and the inspired press earnestly de-
sire an unbroken continuance of the friend
ship of the United States, 9S per cent Of
the papers and the people persist in vent
Ing their spleen against the government and
the people of America.
A question which has been repeatedly
and seriously discussed in government cir
cles Is whether something could not be done
to put stop to the persistent anti-Ameri-
can newspaper campaign, as it is highly
Injurious to national interests. but no law
has been found which is applicable to the
case. In the meanwhile the German news
papers continue to display news unfavor-
able to the United States, most of which is
without truth. The alleged recent Spanish
victory at Santiago de Cuba has been en-
larged upon, with accompanying comments
affirming its truth.
majority of the papers contiue to charge
the Americans with cowardice in, as they
put 1t, in falling to meet the Spaniards
whose forces, it is alleged, "are SO dis
proportionately small compared with the
American force" All the news from Span
ish sources Is believed, whereas information
from American sources is promptly branded
as doubtful or as being lies. Many papers
as we'll as individuals, express the convc-
tion that "the Americans could never witha
out the help of England, conquer Spain or
seize Cuba"
All attempts to set public opinion in this
country right have been rendered futile
by the refusal of the German newspapers
to publish communications and news tend |
ing in that direction. Even corrections of !
glaring misstatements sent out by the |
American embassy here have not always |
been printed
The news Of the conclusion of the Franco
American reciprocity treaty displeases Ger |
many.
German exporters, 1t is announced. will
shortly memoralize the government on the
uuestions involved in the Franco American
treaty
The newspapers here are urging the peo-
pie of this country to use Russian instead
of American petroleum, in order to free
themselves from the insufferabl tyranny
Of the American petroleum ring"
Prof. Stoerck of the Griefswald university
In an article in the Deutsche Revue, a high
class monthly, under the caption "Amer-
lean International Rights" says: america
has no right to interfere in Cuba,' and con-
tinung, he says he rejects Monroelsm as
dangerous to the whole world" The pro-
fessor then says: "A country where lynch
law survives is unfit 10 play the judge of
other countries"
Prof. Stoerck also says he expects Eu-
ropean coalition against tine United States
to be an outcome of the present war, con-
tending that this is necessary in order to
protecN the rights of the European con-
tinent in the question of production and
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