The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-14
Austrian Minister Declines
to discuss History.
DRAFT WRITTEN IN ENGLISH
Engldnd'S Ambassador Makes
No Statement.
FEATURES THAT PERPLEX
F.zas Embarrassment Of Position of Great
Britain's Representative IncreRs-
ed by Announcement Made.

Times reporter talked expressed great
surprise over the revelations OF the Ber-
lin Foreign Office. and they were utterly
at a loss to explain the specific state
ment Of Mr.. Won HOlleben. the German
Ambassador in Washington. and the writ
ten testimony to support T.. that Lord
Pauncefote hal initiated the proposal that
the Powers unite Ito dlsDeI the error
that armed Intervention in Cuba is sane
toned by the civilized world"
What Government Understood
From what was said By these authori-
ties it is evident that the American Gov
eminent had understood that the proposal
Of Lord Pauncefote was submitted to his
diplomatic colleagues at the request Of
the Minister OF Austria Hungary. Nj
LaudisIaus Won Hengelmuller, and that the
British Ambassador did not sanction or
endorse it. Lord Pauncefote, il was IN
derstood. had acted merely in his Official
capacity as dean OK the diplomatic corps.
Lord Pauncefote's position in this mat
ter would be less embarrassing and IN
certain were it not for the statement
made by Lord Cranborne. the British
Under Secrettry Of State for Foreign At
fairs. on February =. that her late
Ma5esty's Government never proposed
through her Maiesty's ambassador or
otherwise. any declaration adverse to the
action Of the United States In Cuba"
On the contrary" the Under Secretary
added. her Maiesty's Government de-
clined 20 assent to any such proposal
Lord Pauncefote in the attitude OF hay-
ing tai,on the responsibility. without con
sultation with MS Covernmsnt. of max
ing the proposal. which. according 70 the
Germu.s Ambassador. was initiated by the
British representative.
No Solution of Mystery.
Every feature Of the controversy has
been discussed infinitely in official and
diplomatic quarters without bringing any
solution of the mystery surrounding the
action OF Lord Pauncefote as interpreted
by his colleague from Germany.
The friends Of the British Ambassador
maintain, despite the seeming proof 20
the contrary produced by tie Berlin For
eign Office. that the proposal cabled 10
his Government BY Ambassador Won Hol-
leben, emanated with the Austrian Min
lister and not with Lord Pauncefote, who
was. it is contended. merely the official
medium OF communication to the dipIo-
matte body
Others. while not attempting TO deny
this claim. insist mat a prima facie case
OF a display Of unfriendIIness toward the
United States has been made against Lord
PauHCefote which he should not lose any
time in explaining
Leaving aside the details OF the dis
the incident may be sifted down TO a
single question:
Was Mr.. Won HOlleben mistaken OF not
in his assertion that Lord Pauacefote
initiated the movement against American
Intervention in Cuba2
Mr.. HengeImuIIer Declines 20 Sneak.
In seeking an answer to this question
the most competent witness would
naturally be Mr.. Hengelmuler, the Min
lister Of Austria. He is in a position 10
say whether the Government ana Lord
PaunCefote's friends we're right in their
/ understanding that the proposal submitted
TO the Ambassadors in Washington on
April "A. 1898, by Lord Pauncefote. was
prepared by Mr.. Hcngelmuiler or the
British representative.
But Mr.. Hengelmuller declines to clear
the mystery He was asked by newspa-
per reporters 70 say something concern
ing his alleged part in the movement Of
April IL
4 decline to discuss history" was all
he would say
Lord Pauncefote is equally circumspect.
He has not changed his opinion that any
statement concerning the part played by
England or himself in the affair should
come from the British Foreign Office.
When The Times reporter called at the
British Embassy today he was informed
by one Of the secretaries that the Am
bassadOr wouie say nothing on the sub
ject. IN behalf Of the German Embassy
the explanation was made that it would
be useless to attempt to interview Am
bassador Won HOiieben.
Evidence I'm Hand.
Some little evidence is at hand in
3 " dbLlnEIOl however bearing on the part
played by Lord Pauneefote in the Am
| bsssadoriaI conference on April II. 1898
/ but it should be said al the outset Of anJ
statement on the subject. that this evi
/ dence is merely suggestive and not d.
| rect The notes TO the Ambassadors in.
/ viting them to the conference at which
/ the anti-interventi0n proposal was sub.
/ mitted. were signed by Lord Ps@ncefote
/ He asked the Ambassadors to meet a,
I the British Embassy tomorrow mornin:
/ at 10 O'Clock" the notes being dated Apri
/ b. TO consider a proposition In regard Z,
| the troubles between the United Statoi
/ and Spain 1t was not stated in thes,
/ Identical communications that the propo-
sition had been proposed by the Aus
/ trian Minister. It is asserted that LOr,
| Pauncefote did not at the conference
say that the proposal was submitted a
I the request OF the Austrian Minister.
The further assertion IS made that Mr.