The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-17
WILL BE NO MEDIATION.
Great Britain and Germany Are Hold
ing AIOOf.

ing AIOof.
LONDON, April 16.-The members of the
diplomatic corps in this city have now aban-
doned all hope of effecting mediation upon
the part of the powers between the United
States and Spain. The Spanish and Aus
trian ambassadors, however, cling tena-
ciously to the delusion that they will be
able TO arrange at the last moment a COM
promise which will avert war. They have
haunted the British Foreign Office for
week past, calling daily and occasionally
more often. They arrived there early this
morning and for long time conferred with
Sir Thomas H. Anderson, the permanent
secretary of the Foreign Office, who APP
pears to be wearied of their opportunities.
Their efforts were seemingly rewarded with
little encouragement. So far as can be
learned the ambassadors of Spain and Aus
tria made no definite proposition, although
they believe scheme is still possible by
which Spain can be induced to offer real
concessions which, they think, the United
States would accept, provided Great Britain
can be persuaded to unite with the CONT
mental powers in making further represen-
tations to the United States and in endeav
oring to bring pressure to bear upon Spain.
They realize that without Great Britains
and it appears to be most doubtful that
Great Britain will participate in such
concert. In the end it is certain Great
Britain will maintain the policy which she
has steadily adhered to-that of refusing
to take any step which may be distasteful
to the United States. Mr.. Balfour, acting
secretary of state for foreign affairs, re-
manned in the country throughout the week.
thus escaping the Foreign Office interviews.
Secretary Anderson bearing the brunt of the
pleadngs. 1t is understood that he informs
the ambassadors he is not authorized to
pledge Great Britain to any course, and
that he can merely transfer their requests
to Mr.. Balfour.
The st. James Gazette this afternoon pub
fishes an article headed AN Anti-American
Holy Alliance" during which ii says: THE
reports of European interference Tin the
Cuban question: are distinctly the most
interesting news this morning, most inter-
esting because it now is clear nothing can
prevent war except some such intervention.
The United States has gone too far to re-
cede America wants to fight, and so far
as we can see America will be going wrong,
not through its statesmen, but through
sort of national hySterIa. 1t is exaSperating
to those of us who wish peace and the end
in Cuba of Spanish misrule TO American
passion throwing away what American
obviously an opportunity for the forcible
Intervention of the powers, or some of them.
The position of Great Britain in such an
eventuality is a delicate one, but from the
point of view taken by France, Italy, Aus
tria and Germany it must be allowed that
the plea made by Spain could hardly fall
on deaf ears. Senior Sagasta's indignation
in regard to the accusation brought in con-
necticn with the Maine is perfectly justified,
after the reticence observed by the RESPONSE
BILE American government. Spain virtually
threw up the sponge in ordering armis-
tice. If American interference goes farther
in its insulting attack on the mere exist
ence of European sovereignty over the ISL
and straight waistcoat would seem to be
a very useful article of attire for the out
side powers TO provide for the country
which wants to bite off more than it can
chew without any consideration for other
peoples interests. The notion that England
must support America against Europe,
whether America is right or wrong, is alb
solutely ludicrous But if a new holy al
lance attempted to coerce America in re-
spect to a matter in which our SympathieS
were with America it would no doubt find
Great Britain strong ally Of the United
States. NO such case seems likely to arise
yet and it certainly would not if the triple
alliance interviewed between Spain and
The Pail Mall Gazette says: 1.-THE SYM
pathy of the continent is no doubt with
Srain, just. as it is in Great Britain, by an
oovverWhelIm1ing majority. with the United united
a great gulf is fixed. The time has gone by
even for European attempts at mediation.
The Westminster Gazette says there need
be no alarm about ant-United States
movement, adding: "a European concert
which excluded Great Britain could not in
tervene with any enect in the anphibious
warfare which is threatened and it is per
fectly certain that no British government
will be a consenting party to any sort of
Intervention which is hostile, or even ham,
perng, to the United States. The only way
out is to compel Spain to accept the sub
stance of the American demands while she
has yet a chance of saving her sovereignty
in Cuba. The chance is open for few days
more and while we do not fear the Euro
pean concert will coerce the United States,
there is still, we hope, possibility that
concert will persuade Spain"