The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-06
Latest Official Statement, Which Is
Partly Denied by British Gov
eminent officials.
ALSO A FRENCH STATEMENT
THROWING MORE LIGHT ON THE AC-
TON OF THE POWERS.
SPANS Note to Her Ambassadors at
the European Capitals and
Points from the Replies.

BERLIN, Feb. 5.-The German Foreign
Office confirms the substantial accuracy of
the subjoined statement, which the Kreuz
Zeitung prints to-day, relative to Ger
many's course toward the United States
during the war with Spain. The correspond
ent of the Associated Press understands
that the article was prepared by Professor
S%chiemann. professor of history at Berlin
University, who enjoys special official
sources of Information. After a preface
quoting the statement made by a British
Foreign Office official to a representative
of the Associated Press, Jan. q, it says:
Almost exactly four years ago the Span
ish ambassador here asked Germany
whether Germany would lead in action
against the United States for the protec-
ton of the monarchic principle. The answer
was a definite refusal, and the same answer
was given a month later, or about the mid
die Of March, when the invitation reached
Germany to participate in the intervention
undertaken on the initiative of Austria.
This was in the weeks following the sad
catastrophe of the Maine. when it was be-
lieved Intervention would facilitate an I'M
Outstanding between the United States and
Spain. Nevertheless our government COM
missioned Herr Van Radowitz, the German
ambassador to Spain, to inform the Madrid
government that Germany was not in a po-
sition to prevent the Spanish-American
war.
after that several attempts were made
to win Germany, or the Dreibund, for in
convention, in which the Pope was especial
ly active. The final result was that DIR.
Won Holleben, German ambassador at
Washington. was instructed to join in the
step proposed by Austria, only in case all
the other five great powers participated.
We are unable to state the details Of how
the united action came about. AT any rate,
the collective note was handed to the Off
Gals at Washington April Z, advising a
peaceable settlement, and was signed by
England, France, Italy, Austria, Russia
and Germany. 1t was believed for a week
that war would be averted.
General Blanco received orders from
Madrid to offer the Cuban insurgents an
armistice, for Spain was resolved to give
them f~ar-reaching autonomy, and to ar
rive at a settlement Of the Maine question
through arbitration. Diplomatic circles,
however. entertained no illusions, and when
England, April IA, through her ambassa-
dor, proposed a new collective note, in
which the powers should declare that Eu-
rope regarded Americas armed interven-
ton in Cuba as unjustifable, the other am
bassadors ~telegraphed to their home gov
ernments asking for instructions. This step
failed through G~ermany's positive refusal.
This gives, as 1t appears to US, a picture.
essentially different from the English end.
A fortnight later war was declared.
afterwards, in June and July, while the
United States was making great progress
in the Philippines England tried to induce
the Spanish commission in England to ask
for peace proposals, for to no power was
the American encroachment in the Pacific
more annoying than to England.
1.-THE above is the historical connection of
events. We hope that, in giving the same.
we have thoroughly exposed the absurdity
Of the English legend"