The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-06
A GLANCE AT OUR FOREIGN RE-
EATIONS

Is very interesting. Mr.. Eustis saw a
Spain. and how she is regarded in Eu-
rope, and his views ought, therefore. 10
be valuable. He says that whilst in
Paris he saw great deal OF II. Hano-
tank, the French Minist sr OF Foreign Az
fairs. and often discussed with him the
Cuban question, and. from what he
learned of his opinions In those inter-
views, he has no doubt whatever that the
recent publication OF what he is alleged
to have said about Frances relation 10
the subject is correct. The French aris-
tocracy, and the Catholic party in
France. says Mr.. Eustis. sympathize
strongly with the Spanish Goyernment
as against the United States, but they
have no voice IN the government, and the
government, lie says. would be absolutely
neutral in the event Of war between
Spain and the United states. Mr.. Eustis
thinks this sympathy OF the French no
bility and the Catholics in Spain is quite
natural But It does not seem 50 10 us.
II all OF the French aTIstocracy were the
descendants OF the old feudal nobility,
We could very well understand how their
sympathies should be with the Spaniards.
But the revolution one hundred years ago
put an END 10 a great part OF the old
feuda aristocracy, and Bonapartt
created n legion Of new aristocracy from
the men that the revolution raised UP
from obscurity TO distinction, and the
French aristocracy Of to-day represents
in great part the democratic idea as OPP
posed to the old feudal idea IL does not
seem according TO the nature Of things
that the descendant of Ney, the cooper,
or of Murat, the stable boy, should SYM
pathize with the bigoted. ignorant, super
stitlous and cruel Spanish aristocrat in
a contest between freedom and serfdom.
Mr.. Eustis gave the following views
upon the probability of an European
Power interfering in case we get into a
war with Spain. lie said:
"The fact is that IL our Government
intends to take any decisive action which
would lead to hositlities, it can discard
any apprehension that any European
Power would take any active part
against our Government
when a European government is con-
fronted with a serious crisis which posi-
bly, involves war, It naturally asks Itself
what would be the attitude of other gov
ernments. Alliances in European politics
have become so fashionable that they be.
come a most important factor in settling
any European question, but with us the
case is different. No European Power
could have any possible interest in inter-
meddlng in a question of peace or war
between Spain and the United States.
The only attempt that was made by Spain
10 test the disposition Of European Pow
ers, as regards its relations TO the United
states upon this Cuban question, was
made while I was in Paris. The Spanish
Ministry had prepared a circular letter,
to be sent 10 all the Spanish Legations in
Europe, complaining Of the conduct OF
our Government with reference TO Cuba.
That note was prepared at the instigation
OF the Austrian Minister at Madrid, but
the only interest that Austria had in this
Spanish question was dynastic interest.
and before this note was mailed our Min
lister at Madrid. Mr.. Hannis Taylor, Wig
orously demonstrated. and this feeble at
tempt 10 secure the sympathy Of the Eu-
YOpean Powers was promptly abandoned.
pean Power. She is not even consulted in
any important discussion OF European
politics, and she has nothing to do with
the great question of maintaining the
balance Of power in Europe. Our position
would he different IL Cuba belonged 10 a
frst-class European Power. The fact OF
our complete isolation and the fact that
Spain is a second-Tate Power render IL
impossible that she should secure the CO.
g rfarf3 ,f.raf
in any conflict with the United states.
The affini;ies of race and the cOmmu-
nifty Of religion between France and
Spain are not sufficient strong to destroy
the traditional friendship between the
French and American governments it
is true that French capitalists have
great interests in Spain, but It would
be difficult TO discover how their inter-
ests could be subserved by entangling
France In any conflict with the United
States"
We cannot imagine the possibility of
any European Power taking SPANS part
II we do have war. The Austrian EN-
peror and the Queen Regent OF Spain are
nearly related by blood, it is true, but
the world has gone a long way beyond
the stage when nations go 10 war with
each other because OF the personal views
or feelings Of kings and queens. When
nations fight now it is because tho in
terests Of the people of the two clash
There has been more or less talk of
France taking part with Spain, because
Of the bonds Of the Spanish Government
owned in France. But the owners Of
these bonds are individual Frenchmen.
and not the French Government. Not
one Frenchman in one thousand owns a
Spanish bond, and It is absurd 20 suppose
that 500 Frenchmen are going 10 agree TO
80 70 war with the United States in be-
half Of Spain because one Frenchman
happens to own some Spanish bonds.
Frence had better pay of every Spanish
bond owned by Frenehmen than to go to
war with the United States. That opera
ton Of liquidation would cost her far
less than such a war.
II is dreadful to contemplate war but
II we must have It we apprehend no
interference by outsiders.