The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-05-01

periments. and hence the nations of
tie world are disposed to keep the
peace as far as possible. They may
d splay more or less sympathy with
spain, but as TO rushing INFO actual
battle with us, that is something that
ta.nk viii never occur
Shall you offer yyuI services again"'
l asked.
No" replied Gen Foster; 4 drew
my sword once in behalf Of my coun-
Try. and am content now to give the
younger men a show
Col. Fred. d. Grant the eldest son
OF Gen. u. S. Grant, was visiting his
mother here, and / asked him to give
me his ideas on the prospect of Euro
pean war. The colonel was at one time
our minister to Austria, and is quite
authority on military matters. He
knows every detail Of the great bat
ties of the world and his experience
as minister abroad gives him a great
chance to study the character of con-
Unental peoples.
Cur acton in intervening in Cuba
is the entering wedge of new policy
in international law, and Il may serve
10 irTitate other countries, said Col.
Grant. Therefore we have kept our
selves within the limits of the Monroe
doctrine. but now we have taken
tually say to European counties that
we may find occasi on to intervene BE-
tween them and their colonies on this
side of the Atlantic under certain con-
ditions, thus lending practical assist
ance TO these colonies in obtaining their
independence. This is a new roposi-
ton. and may be followed with serious
consequences. l don't think that con-
tinental countries have any too much
g.
tainly viii not show great deligh. over
our course as regards Cuban interven-
ton. Besides, we may have to reckon
with the nations who are holding Span
iSh bonds. These are not likely to sit
tamely by and see the strength of the
Spanish nation Slapped right along. 1
should not surprised to see a general
European war You can never tell
where a confiagration viii stop. when it
once gets started. y little spark may
kindle a big blaze, you know.
of course, all depends upon the ad-
aRtaSes and disadvantages from such
ctiOn. And nations Will stop to think
vice before joining Spain in war
,gainst US.
Nevertheless. l look upon the pres
Mt complication as pretty serious bust
ness. | have no doubt of the result,
and I only hope that no other nation
will be drawn into the fray. OF course.
should a general European war break
out, no one can foresee the end. Spain
apparently has a good deal OF sympa-
ny. and. even alone, is no mean an
Jag0nist TO cope with.
Il want very much TO draw my sword
n the conflict now before US.
Senator George Gray of Delaware is
member Of the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations, has Travelled extern
s.veIy in Europe, and is a profound
student of history, as well as lawyer
thoroughly versed in International law
and learning.
4 do not think that we are going
10 have a general European war" said
1 Senator Gray to me. still. if you drop
a spark in the dry grass the flames
are apt to spread far and wide Spain
apparently has much sympathy from
ueighboring nations, yet ] doubt wheth-
er this viii develop into any open &C.
| ton on their part. The fact that some
| of the continental countries desire US
| TO 'Iocalize" the present war only shows
| that they are not anxious to have it
at their doors. fearing thereby a general
war.
4 do not think that the holders of
| the Spanish bonds will succeed in get
| ting their respective governments to aid
| Spain against US. While the Latin ma
| tons have more or less sympathy with
| one another, they are not apt to lei
this endanger their own safety and Sc
| curity. Each country knows that wal
| is costly, and that, if once entered up
| on, il may be followed with the most
disastrous consequences. HSce. self
preservation and safety are Spt to pre-
vent any action that might be born OF
/ sympathy with the SpaniaTds.
There is one side Of this whole ques-
ton that l want to call your especial
attention TO. We have just entered
upon a new era of diplomacy. As you
know. the whole theory Of international
law is based upon the fact that ma
tons have mutual interests and must
have mutual relations with one an
other. The United States has set the
example to the world of conducting
their negotiations with Spain on a higt
] plane. There has been no chicanery
cunning or deceit in our dealings with
the dOns We frankly stated that we
| were led TO intervene in Cuban affairs
| because Of propinquity and humanity
Considerations of good will to men,
rather than greed, or the lust of land
| have been our motives. We resorted tC
/ no tricks or treachery, no machiaVelian
| policy. no duplicity. no mercenary mo-
| tiYes-but were Influenced by the high
| est Christian conduct To alleviate suf-
| fering ana 10 prevent future barbarity
| 1t is a new diplomacy, in every
| sense OF the word. and stands out in
| bold relief as compared with that OF
the Middle Ages, or even of the present
| century. We call the attention OF the
/ world TO the fact that the best way
| To pacify a land is not To destroy If
and we are insisting on humanity here
| after in the conduct Of wars. While
! starvation has hpeu reSOrtpl in tbs
| past as one Of the ways Of subduine
a people the new diplomacy Will frowr
| upon any future attempts in this direc.
| ton. The United States has taken high
| ground and recognized the Christian
| principle in international dealings
that We are. ~ sense. our brothers
keeper and, as Francis Lieber says
above all nations is humanity
our diplomacy differs from past di-
piomacy as day differs from night
| Lock how we have insisted on fail
treatment in the present instance, how
Ne have patiently waited and have con.
ddently appealed to posterity to stamI
its approval on our righteous cause
Ne were not infamed by vengeance
| bur influenced by the welfare of oul
! fellow man. The Monroe doctrine does
| not enter into the matter at all. The
| new diplomacy means that barbarity
and starvation viii not be permitted
| on the Western Hemisphere.
There is still another cause for CON
| graduation. We are drifting toward
| an Anglo-American alliance. We have
| the good will of Great Britain While
the latter country has not identified
herself in so many words with our side
she has undoubtedly exercised great
influence in preventing a European 60.
| alition for q holy alliance without ne,