The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-28
EUROPE WANTS OUR HELP.
PLANS OF THE POHERS TO INTER-
VESE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Mr.. Mckinley May lie Asked by France
Russia and Spain to Offer to Mediate
He Is Likely to Deciine-Germany and
Other Powers Looking for Compensation
-washington Denial of a Paris Report.
Special Gable Despatch 10 THE Sun.
PARIS. Oct. 27.-The announcement Is made
on high diplomatic authority this evening that
the principal Continental powers have init
mated to the British Government that in case
the war in South Africa results favorably to
Great Britain they will consider that they have
the right to voice in the ensuing peace settles
m emit. inasmuch as they have important COM
mercial and financial interests in the Trans
vaal and the Orange Free State. in which many
subjects OF each power reside.
There exists perfect accord among the prin-
opal Continental powers. including Germany
on this point and the purpose 10 to demand
compsns ations in case Great Britain should
extend her dominion in South Africa.
As a result OF conferences between Foreign
Minister Delcasse and the representatives OF
Russia. Spain and the United States. it has
been practically decided that France. Russia
and Spain will request President Mckinley to
offer his good Offices in mediation between
Great Britain and the South African republics.
not received any request from diplomatic rep-
resentatives in Paris to offer to mo-
date between Great Britain and the
Transvasl. Tho report In Paris that
the representatives there OF the United States.
Russia and Spain had agreed between them
selves and the French Government to request
tho President to make the offer causes sur
prise here as the State Department had been
led to believe that no such attempt to end the
South African war would be made.
In view OF the fact that the American rep
rssentative in Paris. who Is Gen. Horace
Porter. is mentioned as one OF those who
agreed to participate in the ovartures to the
President the story is regarded with sus-
picion in Official circles. Gen Porter would
hardly take part In exchanges Of the
character mentioned without first obtaining
the permission OF the Secretary OF State. III
Gen. Porter had asked permission to be party
to tho matter he would PROFESSIONALLY have
met with a fiat refusal from his Government
This apparently disposes OF the part OF the
report which concerns him.
Another reason why Administration officials
regard the Paris story as unlikely il that
there has been no hesitation on tho
part Of the Government to let the
rest OF this official world know that
America would not be drawn into the Trans
yaal trouble actively or indirectly as a msdi-
ator unless a request for mediation should
come from the two countries engaged in the
war.
There has been some talk in diplomatic cir
clos recently about an attempt on the part OF
certain European nations to pace the United
States in an embarrassing situation by re-
questing President Mckinley to JON in an
offer to mediate. and II that be true
tho abatement teleEraphed from Paris
may have it's foua iaton in an arranR-
ment to make such an attempt. The Ameri-
can Ambassador in Paris. would. OF course.
not be a party to an understanding OF that
nature. THE Sun reporter was told by a high
official that the attitude OF the United States
Government was so we'll understood abroad
that it would hardly be asked to Join the alleged
coalition OF powers to stop hostilitiss in South
Africa.