New-York tribune., 1902-01-05

the very outset was as friendly toward the
United States as was consistent with maintain
ing neutrality toward Spain Moreover I am
authorized by a parsonage from whom Spaln's
diplomacy at that time had no secrets, but
whom l am not permitted TO name, to make the
following statement OF the facts. believed here
not 90 have been hitherto disclosed:
On March ~. 1895 Senior Pho Cuilon Span
ish Minister Of Foreign Affairs, informed the
Spanish Ambassador at Vienna that the key of
success in obtaining Intervention in behalf Of
Spain at st. Petersburg. On March 26
surances were received by the Queen Regent
from Queen Victoria stating that she would
support any measures in favor of peace that
the British Cabinet might take to aid the Queen
Regent. At the same date assurances were also
received by the queen Regent that the sentiment
OF the Court of St. James the nobility and the
leaders OF the highest sets Of London society
were strongly for Spain and against the United
States. on March - Count Muravieff. the
Russian Minister Of Foreign Affairs. in reply to
the strenuous appeals of the Spanish Ambassa-
dor AZ 81. Petersburg Count Niagonzalo, in
formed the latter that the Russian Government
found II impossible to consider the proposal of
remonstra ting with the United states, and that
to even proffer friendly advice under the actual
circumstances to the United States would be
construed perhaps justly, by the Washington
Il
public feeling in the United States and have an
effect exactly the opposite to what was desired.
This refusal of Russia convinced the Queen
Regent and Senior Gulon that there no
hope Of any further efforts TO interest the powers
in behalf of Spain. and from that date all the
attempts of Spanish diplomacy in that direction
were abandoned. for even the platonic visit to
The White House of the representatives Of six
European powers on April was not brought
about the instigation of Spain. 1t will be
noted that Count Muravieff's reply to the Span
ish Ambassador March -, many days
before the views of the British Cabinet were
known. and over a fortnight previous to Mr..
Chamberain's famous speech, which was not
made until after the destruction Of the Spanish
fleet at Manila by Dewey"
This statement. coming from the most au-
thentic of information. is not intended
in any way to controvert the fact, patent to
all. that the British Government and the British
public were the best and warmest friends in
Europe Of the United States during the Spanish
war, but merely TO clear up a disputed point OF
history.
The idea of French theatre in New-York
arouses considerable interest in the theatrical
world here. The general impression is that it
would be pity If such a theatre were 10 he eN-
clusively devoted to the antique forms of Scribe,
interpretations Of Sarah Bernhardt, NJ. Coquelin
and other war horses Of the Partisan stage. but
that it ought to have IN its composition strong
tipcture Of the Theatre Antoine, where studied
delivery after the methods of Samson and
Ragnier subordinated to realism in just
measure. and TO truthful, condensed, impas-
stoned presentation Of humanity. Talking on
the subject of the proposed French theatre in
New-York last evening with CASTOR Deschamps
and with Alfred 'Capus both the Partisan critic
who delivered the lectures last year at Har-
ward on French dramatic literature and the
author of La Veinc" were enthusiastic. and
hoped it would familIarize Americans with what
is really good IN the modernzsd French stage
as renovated and almost revolutioniZed by
Antoine. 1t was the opinion OF Deschamps and
Capus that the Theatre Antoine, taken alto
gether. approaches nearer perfection than any
other theatre in France, and yet not one out OF
a hundred OF the Americans who come to Paris
seems to know anything about it CASTOR
Deschamps said that Antoine had done for the
French stage very much what Balzac had done
for French literature He has given it truthful
simplicity. Happening to meet NJ Antoine this
afternoon, and asking him what he thought OF
the French theatre in New-York. he said; 1T
caused a genuine ring Of sympathy and graft
tude in the hearts Of all who worked for the
French stage TO learn that the theatrical public
in New-York evinced a desire TO establish a
French theatre there. feel sure that the keen.
impressionabe and. above all logical instincts
OF Americans will enable them 10 appreciate and
enjoy what is wholesome sterling and hu-
manitarian in the character Of the French stage,
Of which younger school OF authors anc
actors are so bravely working out the evou-
ton The French theatre in New-York ought
to give each year series of representations on
the road and IN other cities-Chicago, Boston.
New-Orleans Baltimore, San Francisco. Phila-
dephia, Washington. Montreal, etc There is
plenty Of young blood and vigorous talent
among our young authors. young actors, and
especially among the young actresses, to make
the enterprise a success" c. l. B.