New-York tribune., 1902-02-06
RUSSlA'S PART IN WAR.
SPALN'S HOPES DISAPPOINTED
BY CARS ACTION.
MORE LIGHT THROWN ON THE APPEAL.
TO THE POWERS TO PREVENT
HOSTILITIES.

Paris Feb. 1.-THE following statement is
made by an official who held high office dur
ing the early days of the Spanish American
war and it is undoubtedly authentic:
e Inc Spanish Government believed that Queen
victoria would support any step taken with
view to preventing the and coming 10 the
ana OF the queen Regent. 1t attributed al that
tlme, perhaps too great an importance to the
intervention of the Queen in the councils of the
BrltlSh Government. 1t was not ignorant of
the fact that Mr.. Chamberlain was in agreement
with Lord Salisbury in the desire to endeavor to
ieHuer 10 the United States a signal service,
nut information of a very confidential character
which reached it conveyed to the Madrid gov
ernment the idea that any mission of pacifica-
tlon would be well received by England. Eng
lsh society entertained the most hostile spirit
toward the United States 1t had not been able
10 forget the Venezuela affair. and in London it
was thought the proper thing to support the
Spaniards.
RUSSIAN INTERVENTION EXPECTED.
Thus the principal diplomatic effort of Spain
was brought TO bear on the Central European
/ powers, and more particularly Russia 1t
was not thought that England would take the
initiative in its favor but, being COnVinCed-and
as it appears justly so-that England would
dare to stand aloOf from common action
dertaken by Europe to bring about peace, Spain
thought before everything else to win over Rus
sia to her cause.
Toward the end of March, 1898 one of the
leading diplomats of Spain who took an in
innate part in the negotiations then proceed
ing, said: THE key to the success of our ne
gouations appears to be now at St. Peters
burg We shall concentrate our efforts there.
/ The Austrian Emperor. for family motives, had
taken the initiative in proposing to the various
powers an Intervention tending to induce Spain
TO grant concessions and by aVerting to
strengthen the dynasty. France and Germany
were first well disposed to the Austrian pro-
posal. and accord of the Continental powers
would undoubtedly have been possible had Rus
sia given her support. The Spanish diplomats
Of whom I have already spoken told me that
at Madrid those who were in touch with the
negotiations anxiously awaited the upshot of
the conversation that the Spanish Ambassador
at st. Petersburg to have with Count
Muravieff
HIGH HOPES DISAPPOINTED.
When the result became known the disllusion
was all the more bitter, because hope had been
so high The step taken by the Emperor of
Austria appeared 70 be utterly unknown 10 the
Russian Minister OF Foreign Affairs When he
was made cognZant of il he did not seem TO at
tribute any great efficacy TO it, If such step.
said Count Muravien, lis confined to a simple
council, it will have result; and if II implies
anything resem' linz a threat, the result OBJ
tained will be contrary to that desired This
reply quickly undermined the friendly dsposi-
ton that France and Germany had at first
the powers, instead OF being exercised collective
" and of great moral authority, reduced itself
to individual advice. COunsellinS Spain to make
concessions.
England was not, therefore. called upon TO de-
clare itself. The sympathy Of certain statesmen
in the Conservative Cabinet was certainly for
the Unitea States, but they Ut.c not 3, rcd
10 display it, They afterward insnuated that
their role had been to hold Europe in check
20 the advantage Of the United States AS is
seen from the foregoing, they did nothing of
the kind.