The herald., 1898-05-06
IHf RUSSIAN ATTITUDE
Is NOW AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN
FRIENDLY
GREAT BRITAIN's SYMPATHY
Appears to Be Growing More Positive
and Cordial-Hawaii Wants
y to Be Annexed
Associated Press Special Wire

A0BOClateQ ffeSs Specldi WAe
WASHINGTON, May 5.-A leading Rus
sian diplomat said today that the cable re-
mort from London stating that Emperor
Nicholas of Russia was much disturbed as
10 the ultimate destiny of the Philippines
and that some sort Of intervention was
probable, was entirely unwarranted and
placed Russia in a misleading position be-
fore the people of this country. He says
the sentiment throughout Russia. official
and unofficial, is one of extreme cordiality
toward the United States, and 1t shows
there will be no change in the traditional
friendship existing between the United
States and Russia. The friendly feeling.
he pointed out. was shown by the Russian
newspapers which arriev in the man to
the Russian embassy yesterday. They
were published just after the declaration
of war, and their comment was without
exception Of the most friendly character
toward the United States. He said this
feeling prevailed to marked extent, even
among the peasantry of Russia, and it was
q matter Of surprise to him under such cir
cumstances that reports should be circu-
lated in the United States that Russia was
about to assume an unfriendly attitude
toward this country.
In British quarters Lord Salisbury's 8
speech is received with much satisfaction,
- another evidence Of cordiality between
this country and Great Britain. At the
same time, 1t 10 stated with the greatest
positiveness that this friendly feeling has
at no time taken form in the way of an
entente or understanding Of any kind. It
Is regarded as none the less helpful. as
leading toward further sympathy between
the English speaking people on both sides
Of the water.
The Paris report that the United States
has promised to capture the Canary Is.
lands and cede them to Great Britain" is
characterized at the state department and
by leading diplomatas as purely fanciful.
The state department gives specific de-
nial.
The foreign embassies and legations have
received notification from the state de-
partment that any cipher cables they may
desire to send to their consuls at Havana,
Porto Rico and other Spanish possessions
will not be interrupted or censored.
The Jananese minister, Mr.. Hoshi, was
among the callers at the state department
today. He had not heard from Manila
and thought information might come by
way Of Formosa. to which place Japan
had laid a cable.
Mr.. Hatch, the Hawaiian minister, was
among the callers on Assistant Secretary
OF State Crdler. who received the diplo-
matte visitors today in the absesce ofAs-
sistant Secretaries Moore and Adee.
Mr.. Hatch had so far heard nothing from
Honolulu in confirmation Of the press dis
patches Of yesterday relating to the trans.
Ter of the Hawaiian islands to the United
States. It was plain to be seen, however.
that the minister would be very much
GrAtided to receive an official confirmation
but IN his opinion any negotiations of the
character described would be conducted d.
rectly between President Dole and United
states Minister Sewall at Honolulu, and
the latter would be expected to communi-
cate with his government on this subject.
At the meeting of the house foreign af-
fairs committee today there were three
members Of the committee absnt-Messrs.
Quigg of New York, Henry of Indiana, Re-
publicans, and Williams of Mississippi.
Democrat. TIL eRepublicans present stood
solidly in favor of annexation, though
there was some slight difference of opin-
Ion as to when annexation should take ef-
feet.
Mr.. Newlands of Nevada and Mr.. Berry
OF Kentucky. Democrats, favored annexa.
tion. The others of the Democrats Messrs.
Dinsmore, Clark and Howard, opposed IT.
OF the absentees, Mr.. Williams is a yigor.
GUS opponent