The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-08
Reply of the President Courteous, but
NOncommitaI as to the Policy He
Intends to Pursue.
HINT GIVEN THE DIPLOMATS
THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS A DUTY TO
HUMANITY TO FULFILL,
And that the War in Cuba Has Be-
come InsufferabIe and Costly to Our
PeopIe-COnference with MIR. Day.
WASHINGTON, April 7-The representa-

WASHINGTON, April THE representa-
tives of the six great powers of Europe
Great Britain, France, Germany. Russia.
Austria and Italy-gaye official form at
noon to-day to their recent conferences in
the interest of a peaceful solution of the
Cuban problem. Their procedure was
unique in the United States. though doubt
less familiar one in European courts.
They called in body at the White House.
presented an address to President McKtn-
ley in the Blue Room. received his reply and
then proceeded to the State Department.
where, with solemn punctiliousness, they
were received by Assistant Secretary Day
in the diplomatic room. They were accom-
panied by their secretaries. The ceremony
was impressive.
The ambassadors and ministers had agreed
ON a line of action al a meeting at the
British embassy Tuesday afternoon. as was
stated in these dispatches yesterday. Early
to-day there were evidences of great actiy-
ity at the foreign establishments, and while
the customary official secrecy was observed.
yet no further effort was made to question
or deny the fact that the ambassadors and
ministers had agreed on a concrete form
of action. The additional fact was mada
known for the first time that Sir Julian
Pauncefote had communicated with the
State Department authorities last evening
on this subject, and while the full details
of the movement may not then have been
presented, he United States government .
was made aware of what was being done
and of the further fact that an official pre-
sentation of the subject would be made at
noon to-day. This government also un-
doubtedly was made acquainted with the
address to be delivered. and then in the
light of it prepared dts reply. The fact de-
veloped for the first time this morning that
Russia had joined the other five powers,
Mr. De Wollant, charge daffaires pending
the arrival of the new Russian ambassador,
Count Cassini, acting for Russia
The diplomatic officials congregated &C
the British embassy shortly before noon ana
then proceeded with their secretaries to tho
White House and State Department The
party was made up OF the following: The
British ambassador Sir Julian Pauncefote.
dean of the diplomatic corps; the French
ambassador, NJ. Cambon, and M. Thiebaut,
first secretary of the French embassy; the
German ambassador, DIR. Won Hollebenf
with Baron Speck Won Sternburg, first sec 4
retary of the German embassy; the Aus
trian minister, Mr.. Hengelmuller; the
Italian charge d'affaires, Count Vinc, ana
the Russian charge d. d'affaires, Mr. De VOL
liant. ~,x,p,
Arriving at the White House, they We're
ushered into the Blue Room and there were
received by President Mckinley. After
social exchange and mutual we'll wishes the
ambassadors, ministers and charges. speak
ing through Sir Julian Pauncefote. deliv-
cred to the President an address, to which
he responded Sir Julian said:
Mr.. President-We have been coInmiss
stoned by the great powers of Europe,
whom we represent here to-day, to approach
your Excellency with a message OF ffleno-
ship and peace at the present critical juno
ture in the relations between the United
States and Spain, and to convey TO you the
sentiments expressed in the collective note
which I have the honor to place In your
hands"
Sir Julian presented the following note to
the President:
'The undersigned, representatives OK Ger
many, Austria-Hungary, France, GreaL
Britain. Italy and Russia, duly authorised
in that behalf. address, In the name OF their
respective governments. pressing appeal
to the feelings of humanity and moderation
of the President and of the American peo-
pie. in their existing differences with Spain.
They earnestly hope that further negotia-
tions will lead to an. agreement which.
while securing the maintenance of peace,
will afford all necessary guarantees Tor th9
re-establishment of order in Cuba The pow
ers do not doubt that the humanitarian and
purely disinterest9d character of this rep
resentation will be- fully recognized and ap-
preciated by the American Nation"
President Mckinley replied as follows:
The government of the United States
recognizes the good will which has
prompted the friendly communication Of the
representatives OF Germany, Austria-Hun-
gary. France, Great Britain Italy and RUS
sla. as set forth in the address of your Ex-
celiencies, and shares the hope therein ex-
pressed that the outcome OF the situation
in Cuba may be the maintenance of peace
between the United States and Spain, by
affording the necessary guarantees for the
re-establishment of order in the island, 50
terminating the chronic condition of dis
turbance there which so deeply injures 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 It's sentiment
of humanity.
''The government of the United States
appreciates the humanitarian and disinter-
ested character of the communication now
made on behalf OF the powers named. and.
for It's part. is confident that equal appfecia-
ton will be shown for its own earnest and
unselhsh endeavors TO fulhIl duty to hui
manity by ending situation, The indeA-
mite prolongation of which has become In
sufferable."
AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
The party then withdrew to the state po-
partment and marched in u boly 70 the