New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-06
ENGLAND,S EMPHATIC NO.
HOW THE PROPOSAL OF THE POWERS TO MEDI.
ATE CAME TO NAuGHT-THE SYMPATHY
OF GREAT BRITAIN WITH THE


OF GREAT BRITAIN WITH THE
UNITED STATES.
London. April 5-The movement Of the Pow.
ers OF Europe for joint offer Of mediation be-
tween the United States and Spain has received
a severe and probably fatal rebuff in the form
OF definite refusal on the part Of the British
Government to participate in 1t.
Many conflicting and erroneous hints regard
ing this scheme TO bring the Hispano-American
dispute under the jurisdiction Of the concert OF
Europe" have been telegraphed from the differ
ent European capitals. From the highest
thorites the Associated Press has obtained
outline of the details Of the movement which
have been learned by London diplomats. The
project is distinctly Of Spanish origin. and was
set on foot by two influences. official and per-
sonal the former requesting the good Offices OF
the Chancelleries of Europe to prevent war.
while the Queen Regent attempted personally
to influence the soveregns.
II IS understood that the tenor OF these COM
rnunicatlons was to the effect that European in
teres,s are threatened by what Spain terms
the pretensions Of the United States to the
right TO interfere in colonial matters"
France, not Austria. the prime mover in
the suggested mediation. and by her counsel It
was suggested 10 the British Foreign Office that
the Powers unite In note to the United States
and Spain Offering 10 mediate in the dispute
between these two countries. Great Britain.
however. definitely refused TO Join in the move
rnent stating in substance that the Cuban ques-
ton did not concern her, and while Il not
actually announced that she sympathized with
American Intervention to end the in Cuba.
such sympathy is fact.
communications looking TO mediation are still
.i,a al
ers but the latter recognize that Great Britain's
refusal to cooperate will rob the movement OF
much Of its weight The Emperor OF Austria is
the most deeply Interested from certain points
Of view, but financial interests seem 70 have
actuated France even more than dynastic con-
siderations actuated Emperor Francis Joseph.
Emperor William Of Germany is known to be
nlewarm in the matter and there is reason to,
believe he has learned that the majority Of Ger
mans are unwilling that Germany should oppose
the United States.
II Is still uncertain whether the Continental
Powers will finally offer mediation Now that
Great Britain has old-shouldered the matter.
the diplomats do not believe the United States
would accept such an Offer the combination
being so evidently bassed IN favor OF Spain that
Spain would gladly submit her quarrel to such
tribunal.
The foregone conclusion and chief importance
~ the movement, in the opinion OF a diplomat
who is conversant with the situation. is that II
will probably have the effect OF widening the
cleavage between Great Britain and other Euro
mean nations and of strengthening the growing
sympathy and community OF interest Of the
I-nited States and Great Britain.
Snain's present efforts to secure the mediation
NJ the pope are now supposed TO be due to the
knowledge that European mediation Will prob
ably be fiasco