New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-22
EURoPE's SYMPATHY WON
MAsTERLY STROKE OF POLICY BIZ TIN
STATE DEPARTMENT.
THE INTENTION OF THE UNITED srArEs No
ABIDE BY THE DECLARATION OF PARIS
APPRECIATED BY COMMERCIAL
NATIONS SPAIN UNDER
GyYSpICION
FEY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.1

fBy TO THE TRrBUNE.1
London, April 21.-The announcement made
IN all the journals to-day that the United
States. in the event Of hostties. will not N.
sort to privateering and will be governed by the
four rules Of the Declaration OF Paris 10 con.
sidered a mastery stroke in diplomatic circles
While English sympathy has been with America
from first to last, Spain has gained some tactical
advantages. as negotiations have proceeded. The
point has been scored. not by many. but by .
few English journals, that, while Spain has
made a series Of concessions to America, Con.
gress in the end has compelled her to fight All
the Continental journals have agreed In de-
scribing the negotiations as one-sided. with
Spain fin the position Of Offering one sacrifice
after another without appeasing American opin.
ion 1t was important that the state Depart.
ment. while justifying war on humane princi.
ples should restrict the area OF disturbance a.
much as possible and guarantee security foe
neutral commercial interests.
This has been done by the official announce.
n,ent from Washington that the Government
will adhere to the principles of the Declaration
Of Paris of 1886. Nothing could be more salts
factory to English. German and French com.
mercial interests. II is a pledge that the United
States will respect the four rules OF the Declare.
ton OF Paris, dscOuntenance privateer1ng, pro.
,ac, Montreal goods under any flag and the
,nv.s goods under a neutral flag. with the single
execution Of contraband Of war. and recognize
the necessity Of making blockade effective In
order to render it binding. These four pledges
will be the safeguards of European commerce
during the impending war.
60 far as the American practice Is concerned
Spain will be placed on her defence. She Will
be compelled to repeat these assurances or else
M
messed in diplomatic circles IS that the STATE
Danar,ment has adopted a course which will
.mbarraes Spain. conciate the commercial and
mercantile classes OF England and the Cont.
nent and strengthen the position OF the United
States.
Every one Of the four rules Of the Declaration
Of Paris is in favor of America IN the event OF
hostilites Diplomatists perceive at once that
America has nothing to lose and much 10 gam
from the abolition OF privateering and the pro.
lection OF neutral commerce and private prop
erty under any flag and the establishment Of
the principles that blockade, IN ORDER 10 De
binding must be effective. 1t would be 10 re
nantes. advantage Of the United States II both
belligerents were under obligati tons TO respect
the Declaration OF Paris. The State Depart
ment by taking high ground in the interest OF
civilization. may force Spain to follow 1t.
Spain draws back owing TO a wanton desire to
capture and destroy private property at sea, Il
Will be an offence against the commercial In.
terests and moral opinion OF Europe
This is the Judgment of dplonatis;s. members
OF Parliament and representatives OF mercantile
England. and they sincerely hope that the an
| nouncement Of the Departments intentions IN
to-day's papers will be followed BY similar as
surances from Spain 1t cannot be doubted tnas
the adherence OF the United States TO the Decla-
ration OF Paris will strengthen English feel
ing in favor OF America, and greatly impair
| the anti-American sentiment prevailing on the
| Continent II Will be appeal TO self-interest
all around. yet Will have moral 1ustlncaton IN
the promotion Of the high ends OF civilization.
Mr. Balfour only needs an assurance OF this
kind In order TO authorize rigorous enforce
ment Of the Neutrality acts, which VIII shnf
| the Spanish fleet out OF British coaling stations
and cripple IT, The Declaration Of Paris leaves
| contraband OF war an uncertain quantity 10 %
! determined by prize courts but Great Brtaln'
which will have the decisive influence IN resu-
| lating neutral obligations in the impending cou'
! nict has an interest OF her own in chasing coal
| in that category. With coal contraband OF WAT
! and British ports virtually closed against Span
| ,sh cruisers and privateers. the naval war Will
not be n long one.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Balfours non-conlni''s'
reniv I'm the Commons to-day. nothing can DO
! nle,ner than the fact that all supplies OF coal
consigned 70 the Spanish West Indies VIII %
! contraband Of war; because obviously designed
FOR the use OF the fleet. since fuel Is not useo
there either for heating or manufacturing pu1'
poses
The confirmation given by Ministers this att"-
noon TO the reports Of the attitude or the oni'so
States respecting the four rules Of the Declare
h.anr fv
by members of Parliament. SPANS attitude
was regarded as doubtful, in spite or the hops
expressed by Mr. Balfour and the Attorney
General that the Madrid Government would "
willing to give its adherence to the same prlh-
ciples respecting neutral goods. ana posS'o"
prlvateering, as well. Indeed. the opinion was
expressed by members that without privatess-
ing the war would be ended before II was fairy
begun, by Spain.
There IS a strong pro-Amer!can sentiment IN
the House OF Commons, which is likely 70 ieso
to the organization OF a public meeting ior 'he
expression OF sympathy with the United STATES
on the Cuban question. Mr. Morton, memoes io'
Davenport is arranging the details for meet
ing at an early date in Queens Hall. and ID
| supported by other members Of Parliament o.
both parties.
| The American liner Paris will take to her heeS
Tomorrow and crowd on ell steam FOR NOV"
| York. OF the recent war purchases nothing Oh
any account except unseaworthy torpeoo'
boat and the unfinished cruiser Albany now TO-
| mains in England. l. ~ -
| HENRY WHITE ON BRITISH FRIENDSHIP
HE THINKS THE PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT BIZ
PArHIzE WITH TIE UNITED STATES
Baltimore. April q (Spec.aD.-lienry Whte 20
| rotary OF the American Embassy In Ehs'Ano'
| stopped here to-day visit friends on MS way "
his home at Newport. where he VIII spend -"
| DAYS before his return to his post at London. Hs