New-York tribune., 1902-02-11
BERLIN PRESS KEEPS AT 1T.
AN OFFICIAL ORGAN TAKES UP THE
CONTROVERSY OVER THE
SPANISH WAR.

Berlin, Feb. 1O.-The official North German
Gazette" this evening joins in the controversy
regarding the attitude of the respective powers
at the outbreak of the Spanish American
War. 1t says Lord Pauncefotes proposals.
April II, 1885, to send a collective note to the
government Of the United States. declaring
American Intervention On Cuba) to be untusti-
fable is an historical fact. and proceeds to char
acterize as absurd the attempt now being made
to obscure and dispute an event which did not
occur IN the presence of the representatives of
only two powers but on which the representa-
tives Of all the powers at Washington, after
reaching an agreement, reported to their re-
spective governments, April IL 1898, simulta-
neousy and identicaly."
The declaration In the North German Ga
zette'' is direct consequence of the incredulity
expressed by American and English newspapers
regarding the disclosures from here OF the action
Of Lord Pauncefote on April IA. 1898 If this
declaration is replied to by Great Britain. the
documents relating to the matter will undoubt-
edly be published. In official circles here 1t
is deemed best to wait and see how the state
ment published this even in the North German
Gazette is received.
The correspondent here of The Associated
Press learns that a transcript Of the dispatch
from Or. Won Holleben, the German Ambassador
at Washington. communicating the proposal of
Lord Pauncefote. sent to Emperor William
Immediately after its receipt and that the Fm-
peror annotated his fiat refusal on the margin
Of the message. The informant Of the corre-
spondent added:
But for the action Of Emperor William Lord
Pauncefote's proposal would have been accept
ed by the other powers"
NORMAN TO ASK ANOTHER QUESTION.
REPEATED STATEMENTS IN THE; GERMAN
PRESS MAY LEAD TO COMPLICATIONS.
London. Feb. 1O-The efforts of the German
official and semi-offciaI press to reopen the con-
troversy concerning the attitude OF the powers
toward the United States prior to the Spanish
American War rapidly leading 10 compli-
cations which. at least. Will be entertaining, and
which possibly may have important develop
ments.
Henry Norman member OF Parliament. who
on January % first interpellated Lorn Gran
borne, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in
the House OF Commons on this matter. will ask
Lord Cranborne tomorrow whether his atten-
ton has been called 10 the statements widely
made IN the German press. and alleged to have
received Official confirmation. to the effect that
Great Britain on April Il. 1898. through her
ambassadors. proposed a fresh Joint note IN
which the powers should declare that Europe
did not regard the armed Intervention of the
United States in Cuba as justihable. and that in
consequence Of Germany's refusal to accept this
proposal the step was abandoned. Mr. Nor
man win also ask whether Lord Cranborne can
make any statement on this subject.
The Associated Press is in a position 10 say
that II the Cabinet agrees to allow Lord Gran
borne to make frank answer to Mr. Norman's
questions. he will not give anything but fiat
denial to the allegations OF the German press.
II Lord Cranborne accepts Mr.. Norman's invita-
tion to make further statement on this sub
feet. 1t is probable that II will be a guarded
reference to the unofficial pourparers which
took place among the diplomats at Washington
Prior TO the declaration OF war, and of which
the Foreign Office has official record
According to the Foreign Office. II Is incon-
ceivable that Lord Pauncefote could have en-
tered into any such negotiations as are sug-
gested by the German press, and much less insti-
gated them.
However, II the reply regarding this phase
OF the affair Is made. 1t is not likely 10 be too
definite, on account of the palpable anxiety
exhibited here to make Germany produce those
commentary proofs which she is alleged to
have up her sleeve.