The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-01-23
RUSSIA THE
FIRST TO REFUSE
France Asserts the Cars Minis.
ter Took Initiative.

Paris, Jan. 22.-In view of the
statement made by Lord Gran
borne, British undersecretary of
state for foreign affairs, in the house of
commons Monday, on the subject of
representations made to Great Britain
before and after the outbreak of the
Spanish-American war, and the dis
patch of the Associated Press from
London yesterday on the same subject
the representative of the Associated
Press made inquiry here in an authori-
tative quarter and received the follow
ing explanation, which throws a some
what different light on the matter:
In the firstplace, in the Spanish lE-
gotiatiOns at the end of March 1888,
to secure the Intervention of the pow
ers in her favor, Great Britain took
the same attitude as France and the
other powers. She neither refused -Or
consented to join in collective action
All the powers were hesitating until
they ascertained the intentions Of -
others.
Russia's Blunt Refusal.
Russia settled the matter by the
late Count Moravieff's blunt rejection
of the proposal Subsequently, after
General WOOdfords conference with
the Spanish premier and Senior Gullon,
the foreign minister at which the lat
ter indicated the extent of the surren-
der Spain was willing to make to the
United States demands, the Austrian
government, believing SPANS surren-
der was sufficiently complete to sat
lsfy the United States, instructed its
ambassadors TO propose to the Euro
pean governments that a note be pre-
scented at Washington. urging the
United States to accept Spain's offer
and avert war
The Spanish ambassador in London
saw A. J. Balfour, the first lord of the
treasury who must at that time have
been acting as secretary of state for
foreign affairs during the absence Of
Lord Salisbury at Beaulieu. France.
who promised to instruct Lord Paunce-
fote to act alone or with his colleagues
with a view to maintain peace.
No action was definitely agreed upon.
though Russia, France and Germany
were disposed toward a movement
which would avert an outbreak of hos
tilities.
Congress- Action Stops It.
"A few days before fae war. how
ever. it was declared that Mr.. BaIfo1Ir
had raised the objection to which Lord
Claiborne alluded TO in the house of
commons Monday against any note
which would have the appearance of
putting pressure on the United States
or offering an opinion on the United
States attitude The Austrian proDo-
siuon then fell through and the sub
sequent joint resolution of congress
rendered any further action out of the
question. This was the extent of Great
Britain's action in favor OF the United
States
The statement of a prominent for
ign Office official, quoted in the Lon
don dispatch Of the Associated Press.
regarding the alleged support bv
france Of the Austrian proposal is
declared TO be incorrect. Since France
dld not back up the proposal and the
french ambassador in London confined
himself to making an inquiry as tn
wat view the British government took
OF the matter. Frances attifude
throughout was friendly to the United
States, as well as to Spain, her ardent
desire being to aver. war.
She took no initiative in anv Sugsas-
ton tending to put pressure on the
United States. nor at any time encour-
aged Spain 10 resist. Her influence
was always directed, in the pour par
leurs OF the powers, to maintaining
peace The exact value which should
be placed on Great Britain's leading
toward the United States can he
sauged, il is declared. by the fact that
When war was declared Senior Cullom
was furious, firstly against Germany
secondly against Russia and only
Ohirdiy against Great Britain. His
resentment against Germany was due
10 the latter having encouraged Snei,,
TO resist and then having abandone5
her AT the last moment