New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-25
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.
SOHE INNER HISTORY OF OUR
SPANISH WAR.
CONTINENTAL MEDDLING WOULD HAVE
MEANT THE PROMPT SENDING OF
BRITISH FLEET TO AID
THE UNITED STATES.


a half century Of Spanish provocation had cul-
minated II the destruction OF the Maine In
fuences Tor war converged upon the capital
from every Congress district. Some Of US still
hoped that war might be avoided, and placed
our reliance on the disposition and the ability
os the President TO effect a peaceful settlement
Of the matters under discussion by the Govern
rent OF the United States and the Government
OF Spain Every one not committed TO urging
on the conflict was satisfied with the course Of
the President, and regarded his handling Of the
Enomentous question as skilful and praseworthy.
I ventured TO say that felt the President had
made one tactical error and established q prec-
edent that might some time embarrass US
when he permitted the representatives OF the
European Powers 70 call on him in concert and
rry 10 influence the course Of our Government.
4 United States Senator. who was q member Of
tie Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and
vas believed 10 be deep in the confidence OF the
Administration, in reply made the following
statement. which I place in quotation marks
because an sure I am able 10 fairly recall the
language used:
Wei you must keep in mind the cirounn-
stances Affairs were in a very grave state.
Spain had been making great efforts to secure
a ally. and 7 suspect the President had reason
70 fear that great naval Power was about 10
espouse the Spanish cause It was said that the
terms OF an alliance between Spain and France
had been about agreed upon Inc BRUSH Gov
eminent was hard al work 70 prevent the or
ganization OF an alliance against US. and to
break ID the one We feared was already formed
For this England wanted time The British
Ambassador knew II would take several days
- arrange and present the concerted memorial
you have criticised. and he believed the inter
view and addresses would have an excellent er-
feet among The Powers The President felt
justified = yielding TO the suggestions Of the
British Ambassador, for he realized how poorly
prepared We were 10 fight two nations. And
Sher he hoped that Spain, if she found II i'm
possible 70 secure ally among the great POW
ers would be willing 10 make peaceaple set
Element with Us
was not satisfied Of the necessity the wis
dom Of the Presidents action in permitting the
foreign representatives TO address him in refer
ence 20 an affair properly concerning only our
owl country and the Kingdom OF Spain, but
was profoundly stirred by the knowledge OF the
friendship and service Of the mother country.
7 received an interesting confederation OF the
statement OF Englsnds friendly and effective
Intervention when was IN London last summer
: vas dining with number Of acquaintance
arc spending the evening at the house OF me
7rtbune's correspondent, I. N Ford We talked
II the Fourth Of July banquet Of the American
Socie-z-15e most interesting occasion OF the
sort I ever attended-when, except for the
srs.5sr e Ambassador Choats and the ad-
dress Of Mark Twain. the honors OF the
evening were wiki the English speakers
celebrating with genuine sympathy our In
dependence Day. Tie conversation IoAo"eu
the theme OF the cordial relations existing be-
zee, the two countries. Member OF Parlia-
rnent z man long known as a friend OF the
United States and as an admirer Of American
t-e+i-11-ions. made statement which deserves
~ Ia widely repeated. II was not made with
snv Interior purpose. but solely as contribution
n an interesting discussion. Names were given
ard incidents described that have no right to
make public. but, as the substance OF the nara
tive Afforded every American in the company
much pleasure, its publication may nave Ine
same effect on others, and enable q wider circle
70 form a Just estimate Of the attitude main
tanned BY England during critical period in our
a4raf-s We had referred 70 the approximations
@eIr IN America that Spain might secure an
allv when war with appeared inevitable.
.Yes.s said rhe gentleman have referred to.
There were intrigues Of that sort, but America
had friends too and they were not idle We
were assured that efforts were being continually
put forth 10 prevent the forming o. any alliance
against you But one day report circulated
through the House and among the members that
Spain had obtained an ally. and that one OF the
naval Powers was going N against you. You
had better believe II created q great stir. We
couldn't ask questions about the matter in the
House. bur several Of US went az once 10 Mr..
and Mr. - and arranged meeting in
r7rfvate for that very evening. When we were
together asked: What are you doing for our
friends IN America, TO prevent a combination
cf Powers against them?' The gentleman re-
Piled --lat be believed they were doing all they
could TO prevent such combination The con-
ference lasted some time when said: Well
suppose your efforts fail. and Spain gets one or
the naval Powers 70 unite with herr men,
said the one whom I addressed, with change
u manner and speaking very en1phatically.
Then the British feet viii be on its way 10 the
West indies within a week. How the British
Government induced the Russians TO convince
France Of the folly Of uniting with Spain is an
OtEer story"
The nation that would have replied 10 hos
tile combination against US by moving its heet
70 CIR support within week IS now engaged
in z desperate war. It asks 10 Intervention or
assistance u is, however obvious and unnais-
taxable and indubitable that the people OF the
United States cherish e cordial friendship for
England Pestiferous demagogues and insane
haters o. the mother country are breaking the
peace vita noisy declarations, not so much OF
sympathy With the Beers OF ennity 10 Eng
land. To cur kinsmen across the sea COM
mend the words Of Edmund Burke as applicable
to The present situation:
Because half q dozen grasshoppers under &
fern make the field ring with their tmportUnate
beneath the shadow OF the British OAK cheW tne
cue and Silent pray 90 not imagine thsh
those who ulake the noise are the only inhaolt-
ants O. the feld-that. Of course. they are many
than the little shrivelled, msagre hopping.
though loud and troublesome, insects q the
hour ELIJAH 7. KENNEDY
Brooklyn Feb. ls. 1900.