The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31

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 Tor
a naval station.
The situation at the Capitol is one of
waiting expectancy. Senators and re-
personalities are willing to give the Pre-
sident an opportunity to carry out his
plans, but there is impatience to have
some information regarding those plans
and some assurances that they will not
delay action too long.
1t was stated today in high diplomatic
| quarter that the Spanish government
within the last 10 days had addressed a
note to the great powers of Europe fully
setting forth the grave aspect of the con-
| troversy with the United States and at
| least inferentially suggested that the
! time was now opportune for European
influences to be exerted. 1t is said that
this note led to the utterances of Premier
Hanotaux in the French chamber last
Saturday and has been he cause of the
activity at European capitois within the
| last few days in connection with Span
ish-American affairs. Up to the present
| time, however, no actual step toward
mediation or intervention has been taken
| by any of the great powers, although
there is little doubt that France stands
ready to take the initiative, if there Is
| the slightest evidence that the United
States government will view such
move with favor. The French ambassa-
dor at Washington, M. Canon, has re-
ceived no definite instructions directing
him to tender the good offices of France.
Nevertheless, the ambassador, taking
the cue from the remarks of Premier
Hanotaux, has called on Judge Day and
ha said that if this government at any
time feels that. the French government
can aid in averting the present grave
crisis and maintaining peace, he has no
doubt that France will readily undertake
to exert such good offices as will be ac-
ceptable to both powers.
| 1t is probable that suggestions have
not taken a more formal shape owing
to the delicate character of such over
lures.
| A tender of good offices is one of the
means of aVert1ng war seem to be at an
end. There is additional difficulty from
the fact that when two nations are in
yolved in crisis any external influence
may be resented as an intrusion. There
| is reason to believe that no steps will be
taken by France unless it is clearly ap
parent in advance that the United States
| desires the friendly offices Of other
nations.
The Spanish government has earnestly
hoped within. the last week that some of
the European powers and more likely
Austria or France, would take the initi
ative without waiting to consult the de-
sires Of this government. This hope has
proved vain, however, and it is said today
on high authority that recent negotiations
showed that while the sympathy of some
of the continental powers was with
Spain, no one of them stood ready to
espouse her cause, by mediation or by
arms. Most had been expected of Austria
owing to the dynastic relations between
- n 81, fhn
of Spain being an Austrian princess and
n cousin of the Emperor of Austria. Up
to the present time, however, Austria has
not felt ready to take the initiative
move. The reports from Vienna last
night that the Austrian minister of
| foreign affairs, Count Goluchowski, 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 here. The
Austrian minister has not been at the
state department during the present
week, nor have any suggestions In this
| line been received by the State depart
| ment from him. 1t is a coincidence that
the French ambassador, the Austrian
minister and the Spanish minister are
more closely associated together than any
other diplomats in the corps.
The greatest secrecy prevails i'll many
| bureaus of the war and navy depart
ments in regard to tho various projects
of defense and naval movements now
going on. Capt. Crowinshield of the
bureau of navigation has issued tho fol-
lowing order:
"Ofiicers, clerks and all employees Of
the bureau are forbidden to make pub
| lie any information concerning the move
ments of ships. orders to officers or other
official business of the bureau, except
they have personal and explicit permis-
sion from me.