The San Francisco call., 1898-04-15
THE POWERS
 INDIFFERENT France and Austria Want to Move to Save the
 Spanish.
Doubtful Whether Germany and Russia Will Join 1n
 the Action.
Unless All of Them Unite in the Step the Effort Will Be
 Wasted.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Call Office, Riggs House,

WaSnlnS apIIl
 It was learned tonight in high diplo- matic quarters that an exchange or notes had been begun between the Eu- ropean capitals with view of making strong representations on the Spanish American situation. In the same con- nection, an informal meeting or the Ambassadors and Ministers in the city of the six great powers of Europe was held late in the day. Several of the foreign establishments received cable advices from their Governments to- night as to the opening of the exchange of notes. This had been anticipated, in view of the prevailing sentiment in all the foreign quarters here that the action thus far taken in Congress made war inevitable. This common opinion had been officially reported to the seve- ral European capitals and it was doubt less instrumental in starting the active exchange between the great powers to- day. The same exchange occurred a week ago as preliminary to the joint note of the great powers presented to President Mckinley, mildly urging a peaceful settlement with Spain. It is understood, however, that the present movement is not of the same mild char acter as the former one.
 Simultaneous with the opening of the exchange, word came from Madrid that the Spanish Government was about to issue another appeal to the great pow CTS of Europe. It is understood that this appeal is an initiatory to the con- certed action of the powers, and there is an apparent agreement in advance that the appeal will receive favorable consideration.
 It is said that the Spanish appeal will recite her grievances against the United States, stating in detail the many con- sessions she has made, and pointing out that it was in response to the urg- ent representation of the powers that the last concession of an armistice was granted.
 If the powers determine to act their influence will be particularly directed toward inducing the United States to grant Spain sufficient time within which to try the armistice recently pro- claimed.
 During the recent joint action of the powers their main influence was eX- erted at Madrid, the only action at Washington being the courteous eX- pression of hope for peace, but the present movement contemplates that the influence shall be exerted at Wash ington rather than at Madrid, and it is
  ters that the Madrid authorities have reached the limit of concessions, and should now be given adequate time to try what they and the powers have offered as a means of restoring peace in Cuba. There is no suggestion, how ever that this influence at present will be of material character, but it is eX- pected to be an assertion of all the moral influence of the powers in check ing tendencies which, it is believed, in evitably will lead to war. Up to late hour tonight word had not been re- ceived at the various foreign establish ments that any common basis of joint 1 action had been reached, although it was the general impression that there would be little difficulty in arriving at this common ground, in view of the prevailing sentiment abroad. It is not so certain, however, that all of the powers are ready for the step of this character. Germany has of late shown a disposition to avoid eXerting strong influences on the United States. Rus sa is also thought to be somewhat in- different. France and Austria are most l active in the present movement, as l they were in the former one. Whether all six great powers are ready to join | in the movement Is in doubt, and | without this united action it is felt that the force of such influence would | be lost