The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-03
INTERVENTION IN CUBA.
ALE EUROPEAN POWERS NOTIFIED
OF OUR INTENTIONS.

They Were Informed Some weeks AEo Tsno
Unless Spain Restored Peace BIZ March \
the United States wouid Intervene-Ths
Policy Thus Disclosed Has Met with Ne
European Opposition-spain Tries 20 Gee
Tive More Nsonth.' Time-It IL Beievea
Abroad That the Maine Disaster Hns DEE
iayed Instead or Fastened Our Action.
Special Cable De,pateh TO THE SUE.
LONDON, March at is the general opinion
Of diplomatists in this and other capitals that
the disaster to the battlcship Maine in Havana
harbor 10 having tho effect to postpone instead
Of to hasten the intervention OF the United States
in Cuba. Every European power received Sow
cral weeks ago q frank, though informal, state
mont Of the American Intentions in regard 70
out reserve that the policy thus disclored met
with no European opposition.
This policy. as understood by the British
Foreign Office and outlined by o British diplo-
matist in discussing the subject three days aga.
10 as follows:
The United States since last summer has been
insisting that Spain must restore peace in Cuba
Finally, the Sagasta Cabinet was informed that
unless peaoe was within sight BY March / the
United States would actively intervene. This,
while not technically an ultimatum. because 10
was not part Of tho formal diplomatic CORE.
spondenco. was. In effect, nothing less. Tia
Spanish Government SO understood II, and %
did every Chancellor in Europe.
No European power gave any sign Of willing
ness to protest in behalf Of Spain. though the
Spanish Government at hrst hoped to secure 20
least the friendly Offices" of Austria or France
tervention.
The attitude Of Great Britain has been partiop
ularly disappointing to Spain, because. while
not indorsinR the American policy in any way,
It has been clearly indicated that England
would refuse in any manner to hamper Presi-
dent Mckinley in enforcing his peace policy In
Cuba.
It 10 we'll known in the diplomatic world that
Spain has been using every effort during the
past Ave or six weeks to gain two months adj
! ditional time. Prime Minister Sagasta urges
that IL the United States will restrain her hands
until May uItcE " ulCn MILITARY OpcIhLiOhb "iAh
be impossible In Cuba until after the close Of
tho rainy season. hostilities will never be ro'
sumed by the insurgents.
This was the situation when the Maine disas.
tor changed everything. 1t is now recognized
that the Maine affair is as great q diplomatic
embarrassment for tho moment to the United
States as it is to Spain. The crisis which would
have arisen this week was unknown to the
world at large. and therefore Mr.. Mckinley 10
unable to act according to his original plan
without creating tho appearance of acting
prematurely, perhaps u~njustly. upon the Maine
affair. Hence the disaster in Havana harboP
must temporarily favor spain's desire for do
lay.
There can be no doubt whatever that the time
fixed by the United States within which Spain
must furnish practical assurance Of the restora.
ton OF peace in Cuba has now expired.
The correspondent of THE Sun is in a position
to maintain the accuracy of the foregoing. not
withstanding any denial that may be made.