The record-union., 1898-03-31

@AAAetNN OI 7 Oi6iSIl INCle~ltOJlS OGCoS1OIi-
ed a great deal of interest because OF
the many warlike resolutions which
were introduced yesterday and re-
ferred to that committee.
On the House side there was an in
tensfty of feeling. After the vote on
the Bailey resolution many Republi-
cans went to the White House to con-
fer with the President, and to express
to him their hope that something might
be promised which would relieve the
strained situation The assurance OF
the President was given to these mem
bers that by Friday night at the lat
est something definite could be ex-
pected.
The Senate committee had an after
ford, the Chief of the Bureau of Equip
ment Of the Navy, presented his knowl-
edge of the relative strength of the
Spanish and United States navies. This
proved only incidental to the main sub
ject under discussion, which was the
value of the Island of St Thomas or
some other point in the West Indies for
naval station.
The situation at the Capitol is one
of waiting expectancy. Senators and
Representatives are willing to give the
President an opportunity to carry out
his plans. but there is impatience to
have these plans made known and
many say they will not delay action
too long.
TALK OF MEDIATION.
1t was stated to-day in a high diplo-
matte quarter that the Spanish Govern
ment within the last ten days had ad-
dressed a note to the great powers of
Europe, fully setting forth the grave
aspect of the controversy with the
United Ctates, and at least inferenti-
ally suggesting that the time was now
opportune for European influences to
be eXerted. It is said that this note
led to the utterance Of Premier Hano-
taux in the French Chamber last Sat
urday, and has been the cause of ac-
tivity at European capitals within the
last few days in connection with Span
ish-American affairs
Up 10 the present time however, no
actual step toward mediation or inter
vention has been taken by any foreign
power although there is little doubt
that France stands ready to take the
initiative if there is the slightest evil
ment VIII view such move with IA
vor. The French ambassador at Wash
ington, NJ Cambon, has received no
definite instructions directing him to
! tender the good offices of France. AT
the same time, the ambassador, taking
the cue from the remarks of Premier
Hanotaux, has called on Judge Day.
and has said that if this Government
at any time feels that the French Gov
ernment can aid in averting the pres
ent crisis and maintaining peace he has
no doubt that france will readily un-
dertake to exert such good Offices as
viii be acceptable to both powers.
This, as stated, is not a formal tender
by the French Government, for as yet
the French ambassador has received no
positive instructions, but it clearly in
dicates the tendency and Willingness of
France to act as mediator in the pres
ent emergency at any moment. 1t is
probable that the suggestions have not
taken a more formal form. owing TO
the delicate character of such over
lures. tender of good offices is one
of the last resorts of diplomacy, when
all other means of averting war seem
to be at an end. There is additional
difficulty from the fact that when two
nations are involved in d crisis, any
external influence may be resented as
an intrusion. There is reason to be-
lieVe that the French authorities are
fully conscious of these delicate and
difficult phases. and that no step will
/ be made unless it is clearly apparent
in advance that the United States de-
/ sires the friendly offices of other ma
tions
The S3anish Government has earn
estly hoped within the last week that
some of the European Powers, and more
likely Austria or France, would take the
initiative without waiting to consult
the desires of this Government This
hope has proved vain, however, and it is
said to-day on high authority that re-
cent negotiations in Europe have dis
closed positively that while the sym
pathy Of some of the continental Powers
was toward Spain, no one Of them stood
ready to espouse her cause by media
, ton or by arms. Most has been ex-
pected Of Austria, owing to the dynas-
tic relations between Austria and Spain.
Up to the present time, however, Aus
tria has not felt ready to take the initia-
tive. The reports from Vienna last
night that the Austrian Minister of For
eign Affairs, Count Golouchowski, had
instructed the Austrian representative
at Washington to cooperate in the steps
to be taken by France are not borne out
By any actual developments which have
thus far occurred here. The Austrian
Minister has not been at the State De-
partment the present week, nor have
any suggestions in this line been re-
/ eeived by the State Department from
him. 1t is a passing coincidence that
the French ambassador, the Austrian
Minister and the Spanish Minister are
mere closely associated together than