New-York tribune., 1902-01-23
AMERICA AND THE POWERS
THE ATTITUDE OF FRANCE AT THE
OUTBREAK OF THE SPANISH WAR

Paris, Jan. 22-In view Of the statement made
by Lord Cranborne, the British Under Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs. in the House of
Commons on Monday on the subject of repre-
sentations made to Great Britain before and
after the outbreak Of the Spanish American
War, and the dispatch Of The Associated Press
from London yesterday the same subject. the
correspondent Of The Associated Press made in
quiries in an authoritative quarter here and
received the following explanations which
throw a somewhat different light on the ques-
ton. In the first place, in the Spanish negoti-
ations, at the end of March. 1898. TO secure the
Intervention of the powers in her favor Great
Britain took the same attitude as France and
the other powers. She neither refused nor con-
sented 10 join in collective action. All the
powers were hesitating until they ascertained
the intentions Of the others. Russia clinched
the matter by the late Count Muravieff's blunt
rejection Of the proposal Subsequently, after
General Woodford's conference with the Span-
ssh Premier and Senor Gullon. the Spanish For
esn Minister, at which The latter indicated the
sXteH o: the surrender Spain was willing TO
make 10 the demands of the United States the
Austrian Government, believing Spans sur
render was sufficiently complete to satisfy the
United States, instructed IT'S ambassadors 10
propose TO the European governments that a
note be presented at Washington urging the
United States 10 accept Spans offer and avert
war
The Spanish Ambassador in London saw A J.
Balfour the First Lord of the Treasury who
must al that time have been acting as Secre-
1ary Of State for Foreign Affairs during the alb
sence OF Lord Salisbury at Beaulieu France
who promised 10 instruct Lord Pauncefote to
act alone. with his colleagues. with the view
10 maintain peace. No collective action was
definitely agreed upon- rhough Russia
and Germany were disposed toward a move
1nent which would avert outbreak of hostili-
ties. few days however. before the war il
was declared that Mr.. Balfour had raised the
objection. 10 which Lord Cranborne alluded in
the House Of Commons on Monday. against any
note which would have the appearance of put
ting pressure on the United States. or Offering
an opinion on the attitude of the United States.
The Austrian proposition then fell through and
the subsequent joint resolution Of Congress rem
dered any further action out of the question.
This the extent of Great Britain's action
sn favor Of the United States.
The statement of a prominent British Foreign
Office official quoted in the London dispatch of
The Associated Press. regarding Frances al
legged support Of the Austrian proposal is de-
clared TO be incorrect. France did not back I'D
the proposal. and the French Ambassador in
London confined himself to making an inquiry
as what view the British Government took
OF the matter. Frances attitude throughout
was friendly TO the United States as well as to
Spain, her ardent desire being TO avert war
She took initiative in any suggestion tend
ing TO put pressure the United States nor at
any time encouraged Spain to resistance. Her
influence was always directed in the pour parlers
Of the powers 10 maintaining peace.
The exact va:ue which should be placed on
Great Britain's leaning toward the United States
can be gauged by the fact that when war was
declared Senior Gullon was furious firstly
against Germany, secondly against Russia and
only thirdly against Great Britain. His resent
ment against Germany due TO the latter