Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-21
SHAKE, JOHN!
You Certainly Stood by Us in
TrOubIous Times.
Now Known That England Really
Prevented European intervention
In Our War With Spain Openly Stated In
House OF Commons.

Londcn. Jan. 20.-In the House of
Commons, today. amid an absolute
silecce, which was n striking tribute 10
the deep interest felt in the matter
Lord Cranborne. under secretary for
foreign affairs. made the first official
statement which has ever emanated
/ from the British government regarding
its private attitude toward the United
| States in the war with Spain.
The subject of proposed European
intervention in the Spanish American
| war was brought by Henry Norman,
Liberal. In the form of a question ask
ing whether any communication pro-
posing or concerning joint or collective
| action by the European states in view
OF the outbreak, of expected outbreak
of the late war between the United
| States and Spain was received from the
Austrian or any other government. and
| If 50. what was the nature Of the reply
Of Her MaJesty's government.
Mr.. Norman further invited Lord
Cranborne to lay the paper in the case
on the table.
Lord Cranborne in reply said no such
communication had been made to the
government after the outbreak OF the
war; but, that Immediately before the
war communications were received
with other powers, suggesting the pres
entation Of a joint note to the President
Of the United States. Her Majesty's
government agreed to join with the
others in note expressing the hope
that further negotiations might lead to
peaceful settlement, accompanied by
guarantees acceptable to the United
States for the preservation Of order in
Cuba. The government first took steps
to ascertain whether the presentation
Of the note. as well as it's terms would
De acceptable to the President.
Her Majesty's government, Lord
Crenborne continued, declined to asso-
ciate itself with others In subsequent
proposals, which seemed open to the
objection Of putting pressure on the
government of the United States, and
offering an opinion, on its action.
The under secretary concluded with
saying he was unable to lay the papers
In the case on the table.
This statement was received with a
burst Of ringing cheers.
Inquiries made by The Associated
Press concerning the Subsequent pro-
posals'' mentioned by Lord Cranborne, |
elected important information from the |
foreign office. There 1t was stated that |
Great Britain was twice formally APP |
preached on this matter, but only once |
after the commencement of hostilities !
between Spain and the United States. |
Lord Cranborne's references to more |
than one proposal were evidently gen. !
eralfZation. which included tentative !
proposals not officially recognized.
The occasion upon which Great Brit |
ain deliberately put down her foot, nc
cording to the foreign office. was when
the Austrian ambassador at London
interviewed Lord Salisbury and asked ,
him If Great Britain would be willing |
10 join In collective note from the |
European powers urging the United
states to desist from war with Spain.
Such note was not to threaten re-
rrisals or intervention, but was to be
in the nature of a strong protest and
a plea for arbitration. Lord Salisbury.
so the representative of The Associated
Pess was informed. regarded this
proposition as unwarrantable interfer-
ence In the affairs Of friendly couu-
try and frankly said so. declaring that
Great Britain would not be party to
any such step. especially in view of
the late President McKinley's attitude
toward the ante-bellum efforts OF Eu.
Korean powers to avert war. The for Il
eign Office heard nothing more on this
subject. the matter Of collective note ,
being dropped apparently.
Continued on page ~