The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-16
Opinion in London Divided on the
Wisdom OF Lord CranbOrne's
OmcinI Statements.
MATTER NAY NOW BE DROPPED
HOW An ANTI-AMERICAN PRESS
CAMPAIGN WAS STOPPED.
Germans willing to COncede that
Pnuncefofe's Action Mt wash
fBgtOn Was Not Endorsed.

LONDON. Feb 15.-The dispute over the
attitude of the powers towards the United
States prior TO the Spanish-American war
continues 10 take up columns of the Lon
don dailies. Opinion is much divided as
TO the wisdom Of Lord Cranborne's course
in making his first statement on the sub
ject in the House of Commons, and since
the later developments the opposition to
further disclosures by the British govern
ment has been strengthened into a deter
mined protest against the revealment of
secret documents relating to the negotia-
tions Of that period. Lord Cranborne's
statement Of Friday, which was the result
OF cable dispatches exchanged between
Lord Pauncefote and the Foreign Office,
is probably the last word Great Britain viii
have TO say on the subject.
1t would be impossible. however. to over
rate the irritation expressed in Downing
street circles at the German publication
OF documents relating to the incidents,
though implicit belief is expressed that
American opinion is not to be influenced
thereby. Should Lord Lansdowne, the for
eign secretary, make a more explicit state
ment regarding the dispute it would not
bring matters much more forward, for the
Foreign Office has no record Of the DELHI
eratiOns at the diplomatic meeting held in
Washington April il, 1898, and Great
Britain's contentious would thus be only
strengthened to the extent of the reliance
placed on Lord Lansdownes word as
against the allegations of the German Off
Gals. Privately the Foreign Office officials
declare that Lord Cranborne's two replies,
especially his answer TO the Philippines
note, enectualy established Great Brttain's
attitude even II Lord Pauncefote is charged
with secretly combining against the United
States which is Indignantly declared to
be an utterly absurd and false suggestion.
Among the Americans resident in London
during the month of May, 1898, 1T is recalled
however, that an intense prc-Spanish feel
ing existed on many sides, especially in So
clety, where women connected with govern
ment Ofhclals appeared wearing the Spanish
cOlOrs. In this and many other ways Lon
don became at that period none too COM
Portable dwelling place for Americans,
for the press teemed with anti-American
editorials The cessation of the latter was
due TO a remarkable occurrence, which the
Associated Press is able 10 announce for
the nrSt time. After DeWeyS victory Lord
Salisbury took the almost unprecedented
step or communicating with the editors of
the leading Conservative dailies, urging
them from the criticism of the United
States, pointing out how vital it was to
Great Britain interest that the side Of
the United States. and not that Of Spain
should be advocated in the English press.
As a result public opinion was reversed
and the government was thoroughly sup
ported in its subsequent and undoubtedly
genuine efforts 10 strain its neutrality TO
the point OF helping the United States.
What the Saturday Review now terms
Lord CranbOrne 5 1nd1Scret1On' would
doubtless have brought on the government
severe criticism had not the Anglo-Japan-
csc treaty diverted public attention and had
not the alliance been generally regarded as
great stroke of diplomacy. AS it is, the
dispute has served 10 strain to a really Sc
rtous point the relations between Great
Britain and Germany, which were none too
harmonious prior 10 the first question on
the subject asked by Henry Norman in the
House of Commons
Among the diplomats in London the con-
trOversy IS generally regarded as Offsetting
the BENEFITS which had been privately
termed 'England's coup in China" An in
nuential member of the Spanish diplomatic
service, who is now here, said: 1--WE view
the squabble with considerable amusement
but have no intention Of putting in an oar.
with several of the European powers, which
are now quite satisfactory, might be Sc
T1ouSly impaired Moreover, we are not in
the habit of breaking the hard and fast
laws of diplomatic secrecy. We are natur-
ally pleased. however, that the affair has
brought out the fact that we practically
gave IN 10 al the conditions demanded by
the United States, and that our submission.
on which the ambassadors deliberated on
April II, 1895, was suppressed"
This allegation of the suppression of
SPANS submission is also discussed at
length in English Official circles. where il
IS declared lntI unless a satisfactory eX-
PLANTATION is forthcoming the incident will
be handed down to history as a repetition
OF Prince Bismarck's action in regard 10
Ems There are indications that pour par
lers have recently been exchanged between
some of the European powers regarding the
Philippines. exactly for what purpose. or
with what prospect OF Undertaking. into
action, II IS impossible at present TO say.
However. the Associated Press is able TO
say that there has recently been keen
crudescenCe in Downing street and at other
ChanCeilerles OF interest ia the conditions
prevailing ia the Philippines and the atti-
tude OF the United States towards the
Islands. Whether this has any connection
with the AnglO-Japanse treaty is only a
matter OF Surn1ise. but taat important
international undercurrent exists i'm regard
10 the probable future status Of those
islands is unGeniable.