The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-13
DE- LONE INCIDENT ABROAD.
The British Press Almost Unanimously
Endorse the tCtiOn.
INTERVENTION IN CUB EXPECTED.
Absurd Eumors Cause Much Alarm In
spain--Lord snllsbury's Statement Re-
garding the Eastern Situation is
Generally Accepted.

LONDON, Feb. I2.-The DeT.ome incl
dent has excited little interest in Eng
land. but the press almost unanimously
endorses the position Of the United
States The daily newspapers, with the
exception OF the Morning Post, have
adopted the view that tho administra-
ton took the righmt course. The Sack
ville-West incident, naturally. has been
much quoted. but 1t must be added that 1t
has always been In the most friendly
terms toward the United States.
The weekly newspapers express the
opinion that President Mckinley would
nave done better to ignore Dupuy De
LONE and the Staust says that a man
better qualified to conduct the foreign
affairs OF the United States than Mr.
Sherman would refuse TO notice De
Lone and every one participating In the
affair."" adding that government based
upon popular suffrage has to expect free
criticism.
Continuing. the Statist says It does not
see why President Mckinley. who lis
accustomed to the rough as well as the
smooths Of politics, shows susceptibility
and refuses TO allow such freedom Of ex-
preston by foreigners
ANOTHER COURSE SUGGESTED.
The Spectator expects that the dismiss
sal OF DeLome will produce more friction
between Spain and the United States.
Continuing. the Spectator says:
If President Mckinley were wise he
would have promptly declared that he
ould not pay any attention whatever to
the purlolned private letter, however
genuine. President Mckinley should
have publicly called on DeLome and in
formed him that he does not need his
assurance that the letter was forgery
the bad taste and yulgarity or the IAN
guage being ample proof Of the fact. II
he had had the nerve or wisdom 10 DO
that he would have immensely raised his
prestige both abroad and in his own
country.
"At the same time one cannot be sur
prised that the United States failed TO
treat the letter with the contempt It mer-
tied. We do not for a moment suggest
that the executive failed 10 ignore It be-
cause it was ignorant OF diplomatic
usage, or because II was not suftlciently
good hammered 20 be self-restrained un-
der provocation. The Americans are as
good hammered as other people and their
OF how Lord Salisbury or NJ. HanotouX
would have disposed Of such matter,
and how President Lincoln would have
treated IL. II Is not lack OF manners or
traditions which made the United States
government take the incident too se-
riousy but rather want or hrmness
which has been shown by the present adj
ministration throughout its term OF Of
fee"
INTERVENTION EXPECTED.
The Spectator is not sorry the Moment
may be approaching when the United
States will intervene TO stop the agonivs
OF Cuba" adding:
Their only hope Is in the United
States sternly declaring that the Span
ish troops must leave ard that the Gu
bans be ollowed to settle their own fate.
That the United States will be morally
justified I'm saying the war must end
and that Cuba be given peace, there ls
no doubt for a moment
Madrid advices show that tho DeLome
affair created much suppressed excite
ment there. The public comments OF
the diplomats and part Of the press We're
generally unobiectonable but there was
an indercurrent Of bitterness on all sides.
Even some days before the incident be-
came known that there had been par
ticular nervous feeling In regard TO the
relations with the United States was evil
denced By the unusual precautions taken
10 guard the residence of United states
Minister, General Stewart Woodford
Any rumor, however, absurd was taken
as gospel IN the alarmist circles, even
though a repetition OF news which was
stale weeks ago. For instance quite
fsrment was caused by reference 10
the fact that sixteen United States war
ships were off the Dry Tortugas and It
was taken as evidence that the blockade
Of Cuba had already begun.
The advent OF the French Cruiser Du-
bourdieu al Havana was hailed with de-
light by the Madrid press, much was
made Of the polite remarks addressed
by the French Admiral addressed TO the
government officials on the occasion Of
his complimentary visit. These remarks
are said TO have been most fattering In
regard TO the establishment Of n new
regime and were. IL Is said. accompanied
by hearty wishes that peace would soon
result from the establishment OF auto
nomy.
THE EASTERN SITUATION.
Although a certain class nolsily per-
sists IN distrusting the situation In the
FAR East the great majority are abund-
bury's statement and there is reason TO
believe that they will be stiil more grati-
fed In no far distant future. When the
government shall be In a position to lay
the papers on the subject before Parlia-
ment II viii be seen that the conduct OF
the affairs has been In strict compliance
with the principles enunciated by half a
dozen Cabinet ministers.
OF course, the Premier Is not in a po-
sition TO reveal the whole story. as there
Is much yet 10 settle, but he win be able
10 relieve all anxiety with an explicit
statement that he viii allow no power
TO interfere with British treaties with
China which give freedom OF entry 20
every port which may become open under
authority or al the request OF any power
whatsoever.
BY his attitude in regard TO Kiao Chou
bay, the Marquis OF Salisbury has paved
the way for a community OF political ac-
tion between Great Britain and Germany
which will not only produce excellent re-
suits In the far East. but help 10 assure
the stability OF the general international
situation
Great Bntain's agreement with Russia
viii probably also be found 70 be more far
reaching than a written assurance tnat
Port Arthur will be a free port and
agreeing TO the opening OF Ta-Ll-Wan
when the railroad reaches there.
The British warships now on their way
10 China are the frst-olass battleship
Victorious. the first-class battleship Bar
feur, the nrst-class cruiser Gibraltar and
the second-class cruiser Ponavertiira.
When they arrive on March 5th or there
abouts. Great Britain will have prepon-
derance OF 500 tons or warships over
Russia and France combined in those