The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-07
Fixing Up Joint Note to Uncle
Sam and Spain.
SUGGESTS GOOD OFFICES"
IN PLAIN ENGLISH MEANS
FOREIGN MEDIATION.
All This Has Been Going On For
Day or Two, But Yesterday AS
sumed Activity, Although Sur
rounded BY Caution and Secrecy
Polo Is Serene.

Washington, April Git was learned
from reliable diplomatic source TO-
day that the ambassadors and minis
tiers of the great powers of Europe sta-
toned in Washington and representing
Germany. Austria. Great Britain
France and Italy at a meeting held al
the British embassy at o'clock yes
terday afternoon agreed upon tic ss-
stantial terms OF joint note tshCerlhS
Tho good offices of the United states
TO avert war between the United stat
and Spain. So far as can De ieaIi,ea
the nota has not yet neen presenteo
and II is understood that its prssefita-
ZION depends upon the seriousness OF
the situation as developed within me
next few hours. ON tne SAM ne srs;'eI
text of the note To some extent WIS
agreed upon, ii InGeed. the note was
not made up in its entirety. .s
II is said not 10 contain the wore
..mediation." but in more diplomatic
terms and in the most friendly spirit, IL
suggests the good offices of the powers
1t is understood also mat inc man. ~
purpose of this concerted action Is 10
defer the war crisis for at least a lew
days during which mature actloh may
be shaped. -, A. ,,,-,ars
is entirely distinct from steps Pope Leo
may be taking toward the sauna gem
eral end.
GREAT SECRECY.
The course of the ambassadors and
ministers as well as their movements
within the last "a hours have been sur
rounded with uncommon measures vi
caution and secrecy. 1t is d case Whicn
diDlomatists know how to exercise win
even greater rigOr than other oHlciais. II
was known last night that meeting Wa
held at the British embassy late yester-
day afternoon. but all those paruclpatt-
ing were so secretive after II had &c
CURED. that no hint escaped as 70 us
purpose beyond the inference that II CON
carned the critical condition OF Spanish
American affairs. II was not until 10
day however. that il became Known 10
those having access to the inner diplo-
matic circles that the discussion at the
embassy took a definite line and that the
course of procedure. as wei as us ioiin'
was not only discussed, but largely ne
cided upon. OF course any Sucn acuon
could be taken only as result OF IN
structions from the several foreign oif1ceS
of Europe. and apparently the mooe ana
now committed to the ambassadors ana
ministers at Washington but, as stated,
these instructions are very limited ana
merely designed to secure peace II POSI-
BILE by use of European good of1ces.
INTEREST IN MESSAGE.
There was the same complete reticence
in al diplomatic quarters this morning,
and such action as may have been taken
yesterday was not followed by any furth-
er conferences or concerted moves during
the early part of today. For the time be-
ing, the ambassadors and ministers We're
turning their attention to the capitol and
were awaiting with deep interest the pres
idents message and its effect upon con-
gress. Most of the foreign establishments
were deserted by II o'clock in order to
gain advantage in the diplomatic galleries
in the senate and house. The British en-
bassadOr started for the capitol shortly
before noon and was followed by prac-
tically the entire staff of the embassy.
The French ambassador and his staff
were among the few who did not go TO the
capitol.
POLO SERENE.
The Spanish minister. Senior Polo. re-
manned at the legation during the morn
ing and received number of visitors. The
situation had not changed, so far as he
was concerned, and while continuing to
express his profound hope for peace, he
admitted to his friends that he was con-
scious of the extreme gravity of the sit
uation. Notwithstanding this, he is pro-
ceeding as though affairs were in their
customary channel and to his friends he
pointed out that the legation presented no
evidence of expected change, of packing,
or Of preparation for departure.