The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-06
ROLES OF THE NATIONS
Muravieff Turned the Span
 iSh Minister Down.
Some Documents Which Show Light on the Parts Played by European Government in Endeavor
 to Aid Spain.

Paris. Feb. 5-The following statement
 is made by an official who held q very
 high position during the carly days of the Spanish-American war, and 1t Is un- doubtedly authentic:
 'aThe Spanish Government believed that Queen Victoria would support any step taken with a view to preventing the war and coming to the aid of the Queen Re- gent. It attributed at that time, per- haps, too great an importance to the in tervsntion of the Queen in the council of norant of the fact that Mfr. Chamberlain was in agreement with Lord Salisbury in the desire to endeavor to render the United States a signal service, but in formation of a very confidential charac- ter which reached 1t conveyed to the Madrid Government the idea that any mission of pacification would be well re- ceived by England. England society en- tertained the most hostile spirit toward the United States. It had not been able to forget the Venezuela affair. and in London it was thought the proper thing to support the spaniards.
 Thus the principal diplomatic efforts
 
 central European powers, and more par ticularly Russia. It was not thought that England would take the initiative In it's favor, but being convinced, and as 1t appears justly so, that England would not care to stand aloof from a common action undertaken by Europe to bring about peace. Spain thought before ev- erythins else to win over Russia to her cause. Towards the end of March. 1898 oR fnlA ufa If ar1af h.
 who took an intimate part in the negotia- tions then proceeding, said: The key to the success of our negotiations appears to be now ait St. Petersburg. We stall concentrake onr efforts sthere
 "The Austrian Emperor, for family motives, had taken the initiative in pro- posing to the various powers an inter vention tending to induce Spain to grant l concessions, and by averting war, to strengthen the dynasty. France and Germany were at first we'll disposed to the Austrian proposal, and an accord of the continental powers would undoubted- ly have been possible had Russia given , her support The Spanish diplomats. Of whom I have already spoken. told me that at Madrid those who were in touch with the ns gotiations anxiousiy awaited the upshot of the conversation that the Spanish Ambassador at St. Petersburg was to have with Count Muravieff. When the result became known. the disallusion was all the more bitter. because hope had been so high. The step taken by the Emperor of Austria appeared to be utterly unknown to the Russian Minis ter of Foreign Affairs. When he was made cognizant of it. he did not seem to attribute any great efficacy to it. K such a step said Count Muravien. IS confined to simple council. 1t will have no result, and If it implies anything re-. sembling a threat, the result obtained will be contrary to that desired.
 ''This reply quickly undermined the friendly disposition chat France and Germany had at first shown towards Spain, and the pacification of the powers instead of being exercised collectively and with great moral authority, reduced itself to individual advice, counselling Spain to make concessions.
 England was not. therefore, called up- on to declare herself. The sympathy or certain statements in the Conservative cabinet was certainly for the United States. but they were no required to dis play them. They afterward insinuated that their role had been to hold Europa in check to the advantage of the United States. As it seen from the foregoing, they did nothing of the kind