The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-06
MEDIATION BY THE POWERS.
France and Austria Are Bestirring Them
selves to That End.

Washington, April 5--The diplomatic
corps is fully advised of the telegraphic
exchange now going on between the
capitals of Europe and is on the aui vive
1t is known at the embassies and lega-
tions that France and Austria are most
active in endeavoring to bring about
common basis for concerted action 1t is
understood also that the exchange has
proceeded sufficiently to acquaint the
powers with the fact that any steps they
may take toward mediation will be ac-
ceptable to Spain. There is not the same
assurance that it will be acceptable to the
United States and indeed, 1t Is the pre-
vailing feeling at the foreign establish
ments in Washington, and this feeling
has undoubtedly been communicated to
the powers in the European concert, that
the tendency in the United States Is
against any mediation from foreign
sources. This is regarded as making the
action of the powers much more d1fhe ult.
It was said today that any mediation by
the powers would bs based on the will
ipgnsss of both parties to accept it. A
distinction is made in this case from that
of the concert of the powers when they
interviewed to stop the Turko-Grecian war
and when Russia, Germany and France
ombined to compel Japan to relinquish
the Lao Tung peninsula as war indein-
nifty from China.
In both of those cases the European
powers carried their action to the point of
a positive demand backed up with show
of force. 1t is said among diplomatic
officials that this attitude was due to the
character of the combatants Greece
Turkey. China and Japan, it is said, not
having attained that status before the
world that the United States and Spain
occupy. For that reason it is pointed out
the action Of the powers in the present
crisis would be purely of friendly
character carefully designed to avoid
wounding the feelings of either party,
and expressly based on their willingness
to accent this medium of securing con-
tinued peace. AS already stated the un-
Outstanding in diplomatic circles here,
based on late advices, is that Spain stands
unofficial indications are that the United
States will not accept it.
The Associated Press bulletin from
London today saying that Great Britain
had finally declined to enter the concert
of the powers places a new and most i'm
portant condition on this European move
ment, and one which may finally defeat
it. 1t has been known here that Great
Britain was holding out most strongly
against any tender of mediation, on the
ground that it would look like outside
pressure to force the hand of the United
States The attitude of Great Britain,
and this view has been made known to
the State Department, has been that the
war in Cuba should cease in the interest
of humanity at large.
The French ambassador maintains his
h,Yf iC
looks forward to definite action on the
part of the powers almost any moment.
The Austrian minister. Mr.. Won Hengel.
muller, denies himself to all callers and
there is the most rigid secrecy as to his
with the State Depart
ment.
Sho1 tly after noon the activity of the
European powers began to be reflected
through their representatives here. Sir
Julian Pauncefote drove to the French
embassy and had conference with the
French ambassador, M. Cambon, whose
has been most instrumental
In securing concert OF the powers. Ger
tain circumstances left no room for doubt
that the two ambassadors were comforting
concerning the course of their govern
ments on the Cuban trouble. There is
reason to believe, however, that this con-
ference was preceded by the reception of
long cable advices from the foreign offices
at London and Paris. An urgent request
was made of the two ambassadors to in
dictate their probable course of action, but
it was replied that the present juncture
was too profoundly grave to permit the
slightest public discussion of their move
ments. In other diplomatic quarters 1t
was the opinion that a general meeting of
the ambassadors and ministers represent
ing the powers would be held here. 1t
was the general feeling in these quarters
that there was no further time for Pour
Parlers between the European capitals.
None Of the foreign representative had
made any overtures to the State Depart
ment up to this afternoon. About 1880
o'clock today, Archbishop Ireland came
to the State Department and went to the
office of Assistant Secretary Day.
He was admitted at once evidently by
appointment. The Archbishop remained
with Judge Day about half an hour,
and soon after his departure, the Assist
ant Secretary started for the White House.
The Archbishop declined to discuss the
purposes of his calls, saying it was nere-
" to pay his respects and showed annoy
ance when inquiry was made as to the
direction of the Papal influences. While
the call renewed the talk about Papal
mediation, general impression prevailed
throughout official circles that no media
ton by the Pope, and no influences in
that direction. would be seriously enter
tanned by the United States government.
ARCHBISHOP IRELAND CALLS.
Washington, April 5.-Arohbishop Ire
land came to the. state department at 1880
o clock today He evidently had arranged
for the call beforehand and was expected
for he YVES shown at once into Assistant
Secretary Days room. TO reporters who
asked his mission Archbishop Ireland
was evasive and said he came simply to
pay his respects.
CONSULS TO BE RECALLED.
Washington, April 5.-Information re-
ceived at the state department from Con-
sui General Lee at Havana does not in
dictate that he regards himself or the
other consular officers in Cuba in any
danger at this time and in reply to the
suggestion that it might be exredient
for him to hasten his departure he was
informed the department that about ten
days would be necessary for the con-
suls throughout the island to arrange for
their departure except in case of emergen-
cy. No definite action has yet been taken
in regard to the removal Of the consuls
but it seems probable that they will be
recalled within the nsxt day or two. The
government has given Gen. Leo tnstruc-
lions to see to the safety of our consuls
f. ,,1. hos ivvay