The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-13
DON'T KNOW US IN VIENNA.
Austrians Have Queer Ideas About
the American People.


the American People.
LONDON, April 13-The Vienna corre-
spondent of the Times says: Somebody
observed to-day with reference TO the mess
age that President Mckinley had written
the greater part in his shirt sleeves, and
only donned his coat to write the conclud-
ing portion. This figure of speech sets forth
the general impression it has produced in
Vienna. In the part of the message penned
prior to the granting of an armistice by
Spain President Mckinley displayed-so
they think here-conspicuous contempt for
all diplomatic circumlocution; while the rest
shows more regard for the feelings of Spain.
On the whole the message has confirmed
the opinion previously existing here that
while recognizing the necessity OF humoring
the jingoes by tall talk, the President HIM
self has been anxious for peace.
''It has been astonishing throughout the
present crisis to observe how little the peo
pie of the United States are known and un-
derstood here. 1t was, for instance, curious
to see what expectations were founded on
the mediation of the powers, as If President
Mckinley had the same reasons as the Sui
taa of Turkey to bow before the European
concert. Fortunately the form in which the
mediation of the powers has been exercised
was not obtrusive, but was confined to an
appeal to humanity and to an offer to
use their good offices, should these be de-
sired by both parties concerned. 1t would
have been difficult to go further consider
ing the peccadilloeS Of compulsory terri
torial acquisition which all the mediators
had on their consciences.
THE Neus Wiener Tagblatt remarks that
the message is grave and warlike, but the
postscript-the most important parts
peaceful. This paper believes that the dam
ger of war is in any case deferred until
autumn. The Fremdenblatt also thinks the
decision as to peace or war postponed, but
is doubtful whether the jingoes will be sat-
isfied, or whether the President himself will
remain faithful to his standpoint. The
Reichswehr thinks the message indicates
that the United States wants war and will
have it. The Wiener Tagblatt says the mes
sage was cleverly arranged to keep mat
ters in suspense, to accept all Spain's con-
cessions without making any in return. In
q word. this paper thinks the message
would serve equally well to pave the way to
a complete pacifcation or to declaration
of war;
''The message has caused general disap-
poinIment among those who had expected
frankly warlike statement, and they de-
nounce it as ambiguous, and among those
who had hoped for message of peace, for
they consider it menancing in substance and
hypocritical in form, except on the unjusti-
fable assumption that Spain is ready to re-
linquish Cuba without striking blow. BY
all such the message is held to render war
inevitable.
'"The Washington correspondent of the
Osservatore Romano says that the influence
of the Pope in obtaining the armistice is
hailed with gratitude by the American peo-
ple' AS to this gratitude some skepticism
is permissible. There are not wanting
astute and liberal-minded prelates in Rome
who hold that the gratitude of the Amer
lean people would have been still more pro-
found had the Pope never intervened at all.
1t only remains to draw attention to the
clever wording of Senior Gullon's dispatch
to Mgr Merry del Val, which will enable
the Vatican to claim the credit to itself of
having obtained the armistice, and will, at
the Same time. allow a similar satisfaction
to the great powers"