The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-18

L
Opinion Divided N TO wisdoa Of
Lord Cranborne's Cause In Making
His First statement-strong Oppo-
sitfon to Further Revealmens ef
Public Document. on this Subject.
Intense Pro-spanish Feeling In
London in May Is9s--The Pres. Of
ncially Notified at That Time to
Cease Anti-American Articles-In-
ternntionaI Communic lions N Go
the Philippines.
London. February 15.-The dispute
over the attitude OF the powers to-
wards the United States prior 90 the
Spanish-American war continue TO take
up columns OF the London dailies Opin.
Lord Cranborne's course In making his
first statement on the subject in the
house Of commons and since the later
developments the opposition to further
disclosures by the British government
has been strengthened into a determine
ed protest against the revealmeat OF
secret documents relating to the nego-
tldllOHS OF tnaI periOQ.
Lord Cranborne's statement OF Fri
day. which was the result OF cable dis
patches. exchanges be tween Lord
Pauncefote and the foreign office. 10
probably the best word Great Britain
will have to saw on the subject It
would be impossible. however. to over
rate the irritation EXPIRE essed in Down.
ing street at the German publication OF
documents relating to the incident. Pri-
vately the foreign office officials de-
clare that Lord Cranborne's two replies.
especially his answer to the first note,
effectually established Great Brftain's
attitude. even If Lord Pauncefote 10
charged " ith Sc cretly combi 1 against
the United States which is Indignantly
declared to be an utterly absurd ana
false suggestion.
Among the Americans resident In
London during the month Of May. 1898,
1t is recalled. however. that an intense
pro-Spanish feeling existed on many
sides. especially in society. where
women connected with government offi-
cials appeared wearing the Spanish COL
ors. In this and many other ways Lon.
don became at that period none too
comfortable a dwelling place for Ameri-
cans. for the press teemed with ant
American editorials. The cessation of
the latter was due to a remarkable o.
currence which the Associated Press ~
able to announce for the first time. Az
fny- ne,x n
the almost unprecedented step of COM
municating with the editors OF the lead
ing conservative dalies urging them [
to desist from criticism OF the United
States. pointing out how vital it was to
Great Britain's interest that the side Of
the United States. and not that OF Spain.
should be advocated In the ENGLISH
press. AS result public opinion was re-
versed. and the government was thor
oughly supported In its subsequent and
undoubtedly genuine efforts to strain
Its neutrality to the point OF helping
the United States.
Among the diplomats in London the
controversv IL enc. ally res ard ID az or
setting the benefits which had been pri-
vately termed "Engiand's coup I'm
China"
An influential member OF the Spanish
Diplomatic service who is now here.
-aid to representative OF the Associat-
edPress:
we view the scuabbie gith consider
able amusement. but have no intention
of putting in an oar. We are naturally
pleased. however. that the affair has
brought out the fact that we practically
gave into all conditions demanded by
the United States and that our submls-
sion on which the ambassadors deiib .r-
ated April II. 1893. was suppressed. =
This allegation OF the suppression O.
spain's submission is also discussed at
length In English official circles. where
II is declared that unless a satisfactory
exclamation is forthcoming the incident
will be handed down to history a. a
reoetftion of Prince Blsmarck.s action
In regard to the Ems dispatch.
There are indications that Pourpar-
iers have recently been exchanged be-
tween some OF the European povern
regarding the Philippines. exactly Tor
what purpose or with what prospect oe
materiaiizing into definite action. II In
impossible at present to saw. However.
the Associated Press "a able % stafe
that there has recently been q keen
reerudesence Of interest In Downing
street and al other chancelIories Ia the
conditions prevailing In the PHILIPPINES
and the attitude Of the United stare.
towards those islands. Whether thi.
nas any connection with the AneIo.
saDanese treaty h only a matter FOR
su.nxs. xs. but that an independent inter
aatlonaI :. undercurrent exists IN regard
20 ane probable future Of the status of