River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-04-14
IN THE INTEREST OF PEACE.
Representatives of SIX Great Euro
pean Powers Confer with
President Mckinley.

Washington, April s.-The repre-
sentatives of the six great powers of
Europe, Great Britain, France, Ger
many, Russia, Austria and Italy, gave
official form at noon Thursday to their
recent conferences in the interest of 4
peaceful solution of the Cuban prob
lem. Their procedure was unique in
the United States, though doubtless a
familiar enc in European courts.
The diplomatic officials congregated
at the British embassy shortly before
noon and then proceeded with their sec
retarics to the white house and state
department.
Arriving at the white house they were
ushered into the blue room and there
were received by President Mckinley.
After a social exchange and mutual
we'll wishes, the ambassadors, min
listers and charges, speaking through
Sir Julian Pauncefote, delivered to the
president an address, to which he
responded. Sir Julian Pauncefote
said:
Mr.. President: We have been commits
stoned by the great powers OF Europe
proach your excellency with message OF
friendship and peace at the present critical
juncture in the relations between the
United States and Spain, and to convey to
you the sentiments expressed In the COL
lective note which | have the honor to
place in your hands"
Sir Julian Pauncefote, as representa-
tive of the powers, presented the fol-
lowing:
1.-The undersigned representatives of Ger
many. Austria-Hungary, France, Great
Britain, Italy and Russia duly authorized
in that behalf address in the name of their
respective governments a pressing appeal
to the feelings of humanity and modera-
ton of the president and of the American
people in their existing differences with
Spain. They earnestly hope that further
negotiations will lead to an agreement
which, while securing the maintenance of
peace. will afford all necessary guarantees
for the reestablishment Of order in Cuba.
THE powers do not doubt that the hui
manitarian and purely disnterested char
acter of this representation will be fully
recognized and appreciated by the Amer
lean nation"
President Mckinley replied as fol-
lows:
1.-THE government of the United States
recognizes the good will which has prompt
COMMUNICATIONS
resentatives of Germany, Austria-Hun-
gary, France, Great Britain, Italy and
Russia, as set forth in the address of your
excellencies, and shares the hope therein
expressed that the outcome of the situa-
ton in Cuba may be the maintenance of
peace between the United States and Spain
by affording the necessary guarantees for
the reestablishment of order in the island,
SO terminating the chronic condition of
disturbance there, which SO deeply Injuries
the interests and menaces the tranquility
of the American nation by the character
and consequences of the struggle thus kept
up at our doors, besides shocking its senti-
ment of humanity.
THE government of the United States
appreciates the humanitarian and disin-
terested character of the communication
now made on behalf of the powers named,
and for its part is confident that equal APP
probation Will be shown for its own ear
nest and unselflsh endeavors to fulfill a
duty to humanity by ending situation
the indefinite prolongation of which has
become insufferabe"
The party then withdrew to the state
department and repaired in body to
the diplomatic room, where they held
a conference with Judge Day, assistant
secretary of state, Secretary Sherman
having gone home to lunch before their
arrival. This conference took wider
range and went considerably outside
of the address delivered to the presi-
dent.
Madrid, Thursday night, by way of
Bayonne, France, April 9.-The ambas-
sailors of five great European powers
France, Russia, Italy, Germany and
Austria-have automatically informed
the government of Spain that a war
with the United States can only be
avoided, in their judgment, by Spain
yielding. They advised extreme con-
Qessions to the United States. They APP
pealed to SPANS pride, noble self-sac-
rifice and. self-interest. They meant
that she must abandon Cuba.