Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-27
ALL CLAIM NEUTRALITY
No European Nation Willing to
Admit Unfriendly Sugges-
ton During War.
Contradictory and Confusing
Statements Made by the Var
ious Governments.
King Edwards First Year OF
Rule Satisfactory to His
Subjects.

| London, Jan. 2T.-It is a flattering ane
not an altogether becoming spectacle
which the English and European pres:
presents to American eyes in discussing
the question of the attitude of the vari-
Gus governments towards the United
States on the eve of and during the
Spanish war.
Never, perhaps, was there such 6
confusion of contradictory statements
least benevolent neutrality of the coun.
try of their origin toward America,
The present situation is like bitter
quarrel over the contents of a chest OF
which each disputant holds the key
but which none dares to open for the
proof of his assertions.
1t may be worth while to observe
that some important contents of this
diplomatic chest We're described In con-
fidence to the writer of this dispatch
at the time when they We're gathered
and his suggestion is that no attention
should be paid, especially to continen-
tai assertions until they are backed by
the disclosure of actual documents,
Even then 1t will be easy to create a
false impression unless publication is
complete, including official as we'll as
unofficial communications.
The most important fact Of the stu
alton is ignored in the present discus
sion. This is not the almost unanimous
American public sentiment on the
continent, but the substantial aid and
comfort furnished to the two combat
ants from nominally neutral countries.
No serious harm will be done at this
late date by making known the disas-
trous shortage in ammunition OF the
United States was Cancelled by the ship
ment of cargo after cargo from Eng
land, trade proceeding without the
slightest interference by the authorities
turnout the war.
There was some trifling attempt TO
disguise by bills of lading as machinery.
But even when cases which We're brok-
en- exploded in the dockyards Of the
Thames official eyes still looked the 9TH
err way.
1t is equally notorious that Spain re-
ceived abundance of similar supplies
from neutral continental ports. This is
subject which might be gone into with
most interesting results in the case of
certain continental powers which con-
tinue to protest too much.
In view OF the London Times asser-
ton that the British government would
welcome the publication OF the papers
referring to the negotiations between
the powers before and after the out
break of the Spanish American war.
correspondents at Europeans capitals
were Instructed to ascertain from the
foreign offices If their governments
would consent to make the papers pub
lie. The following is the response from
France:
mo suggestion has been received here
from the British government to spublish
the Hispano- American papers. and none
is expected. No Importance Is attached
to the Times statement, as England is
aware that the several governments
would not agree to their publication.
The following is the reply from Aus
tria:
THE British government has made no
inquiry. Should such an inquiry be
made, Austria's answer would prob
ably be according to the answers of
the other powers"
From Germany came the following
reply:
I'VE have nothing to adsl to what was
said on Tuesday"