Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-12
A MISUNDERSTANDING.
Washington Believes Pauneefote's Po'
sition Was All Right.

washington, fcD. u.-ln view OF tne
statements and contradictions, more or
less official in character, coming from
the principal European capitals re-
specting the attitude Of the powers in
d.vidualiy towards the United States
Just preceding the Spanish war. and
after the joint note presented to Presi-
dent Mckinley, April Z. 1898, in the eff
fort to prevent war, the conclusion
reached here is that Lord Pauncefote's
activity in the direction Of Intervention
fss been generally misunderstood.
1t is known that the Austrian minis
ter was untiring in his efforts in behalf
Of Spain. The United States govern
ment has never cherished the least i'll
feeling on that score, realizing that the
blood ties between the Austrian and
Spanish reigning houses sufficiently ex-
cused such an attitude. In the course
OF these efforts Mr.. Hengelmuller
turned to Lord Pauncefote, as dean of
the corps. and sought to have him. as
such dean, see what measure Of sup
port could be secured for another and
more forcible representation to the
United States as to the undesirability
OF war. g.
Lord PauncefOte was confident that
no such proposition would carry, but
he yielded so far to the application of
the Austrian minister as to submit his
proposition to the other representatives
of the European powers. The result
justified Lord Pauncefote's judgment OF
the outcome and it was probably the
inquiries he made in this proceeding
and not any proposition originating
with himself, that led to reports from
the ministers and ambassadors here to
he European chancellories.
London. Feb. 1.-THE under secre-
AIRY for the foreign Office. Lord Gram
5crne. replying in the House Of Com
mons, today, to a question of Henry
Norman NiberaD, who asked whether
the governments attention had been
called to the statement in German
press and alleged to have received off,
cfal confirmation at Berlin to the effect
that Great Britain, April "A, 1898,
through her ambassador at Washing
ton. Lord Pauncefote, proposed fresh
note in which the powers should de-
care that Europe did not regard the
AihhCA AiISt NChliOd VA tuC ShtCu oldIco
in Cuba as justifiable and that in con-
sequence of Germany's refusal to ac-
ccDt this proposal the step was aban-
ioned. said:
mo. sir. Her Late Majesty's govern
nent never proposed through Her Ma
Iesty's ambassador or otherwise any
declaration adverse to the action of the
United States in Cuba. On the con-
.rary. Her Late Majesty's government
declined to assent to any such pro-
posal."
Lord Cranborne's answer to Mr.. Nor
nan was received with applause.
Mr.. Norman later said to a repre-
sentative of The Associated Press: II
am perfectly satisfied and, of course.
implicitly believe the statement Of the
British minister's
John Redmond, the Irish leader, COM
mented on Lord Cranborne's statement
as follows: THAT the feeling which ex-
listed in America that England did 50
much for the United States at the time
IF the war is all humbug. To my per-
sonal knowledge the majority of the
members of the House of Commons
were strongly anti-American in those
days. I have no doubt Germany has
evidence to prove her assertions"