The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-14

ain.
Won Holleben was not alone among his
diplomatic colleagues in supposing that
the proposal emanated with the British
Ambassador. and that some. IL not all. Of
them telegraphed their Governments in
much the same lar guage as that used by
the German reDreseh. ative. who said:
The British Ambassador today took.
IN a very surprising way. the initiative
in a new collective step on the part OF
the Ministers"
Note written in English.
Even more interesting and important
than any Of the above assertions. is an
other attributed to more than one source
OF authority. This is to the effect that
when the representatives Of the Powers
assembled in the British Embassy on the
morning Of April Il. 1885. they found
that the proposed collective note to the
gether to consider. had been prepared in
writing. and that it was in English
Lord PauncefOte was the only represen-
tative Of an English speaking people who
wa5 a party to the COME. ,nce. This.
taken in connection with tn fact that no
statement was made that she proposal
came from the Austrian Minister. was
pretty strong evidence that the note was
submitted in behalf Of Great Britain.
There is also reason to belief that the
English text was copied by Mr.. Won Hol-
leben and that the copy is now in the
possession OF the Berlin Foreign ONCE.
There Is a reasonable explanation in
support Of the statement that Lord
Pauncefote called the meeting at the re-
guest Of the Austrian Minister and that
it was held in the British Embassy As
dean Of the Diplomatic Corps it was his
privilege and duty to issue the invitation
and the British Embassy is the regular
meeting place OF the Ambassadors.
But the failure Of the British Ambas-
sador to inform his colleagues that the
proposal was not his. but tie Austrian
Minister'S. II such was the case, is not
50 easily explained. and no authoritative
statement is obtainable as to the allega-
ton that the proposal had been origin
1T the ambassadors are conducted IN
French and communications between them
are usually in that language
EngIand's Later Attitude.
Out OF the controversy that is going on
between London and Berlin and which this
Government regards as a hattering recog-
milton OF its Importance as a world
power. have came a number Of interesting
disclosures. One OF the most notable
Of these was made yesterday by a United
states Senator whose thorough acquaint-
ance with diplomatic secrets and his high
standing as an advisor Of the Mckinley
Roosevelt Administrations command at
tention to his statements.
He asserted positively that after the
battle of Mantle Bay an attempt was made
to induce the European Powers to stop
the war between Spain and the United
States. but the attempt failed through the
attitude Of England which emphatically
declined to sanction the movement and
used her influence 20 down il.
BY some the present revelations are
ascribed 10 a sinister motive.
There is talk Il a conspiracy on the part
Of the representative OF the other Pow
ers TO Gust Lord Pauncefote from the
place he has held FOR years. as the dean
OF the Diplomatic Corps
1t is said that they feel that his long
service in this city has given him undue
prestige at the state Department This
they would now destroy, it is said, if pos
sibIe
Alleged sinister sIOtive.
The question now being asked is.
do they hope TO drive the venerable diplo-
mat from the Capital OF the United states
ard have him replaced by a younger and
less able man.
The latter. as a newcomer. could not
occupy the place OF dean. which would
go 70 Mr., Houeben as next in term Of
service.
The Philippine Negotiations.
As another chapter in the international
embrogIio. the report of the attempt by
foreign Powers to shut the United States
out Of the possession of the Philippines
is again revived.
This is TO the effect that shortly after
Dewey's victory in Manila Bay there was
a movement for concerted action to pre-
vent this country's retaining the Islands
that Germany was foremost in the move
ment and it was only England's frown
that prevented its contamination.
The facts in this story have never been
made clear, but it is thought that per-
haps England, as a retaliation against
Germany on account OF the publication by
the latter OF the now famous Pauncefote
mote NAV bring 10 Iifht the official lncn-