Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-16
ON SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
British Press DevOtes Much Space to
Controversy Regarding Eng
Iish Attitude.

Iish Attitude.
LONDON, Feb. 15.-The dispute over the
attitude of the powers toward the United
States prior to the Standardization war
continues to TAX up columns of the London
dailies.
Opinion is much divided as to the wisdom
OF Lord Cranborne's course in making his
first statement on the subject In the House
Of Commons and since the latter develop
ments the opposition to further disclosures
by the British government has been
strengthened into a determined protest
against the revealment of secret documents
relating to the negotiations 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 will have to say on the sub
ject.
1t would be possible, however, to over
rate the Irritation expressed In Downing
street at the German publication Of docu-
ments relating to the incident, though i'm
plicit belief is expressed that American
opinion is not to be influenced thereby.
Should Lord Lansdowne, the foreign sec
rotary. make a more explicit statement re-
BaTuluB In0 dispute II WOulu uOl pEluk mdJ-
tiers much more forward, for the foreign
office has no record Of the deliberations at
the diplomatic meeting held in Washington
April IA, 1898, and Great Britain's conten-
tions would thus be only strengthened to
the extent of the reliance placed on Lord
Lansdowne's word, as against the allega-
lions Of the German officials.
Privately the foreign ofice ~oflcials de-
clare that Lord Landowners replies, es-
pecially his answer to the nrst note, effec-
tually establish Great Britain'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 Lon
don, during the month of May, 1898, II Is
recalled that an intense pro-Spanish feel
ing existed on many sides, especially In
society, where women connected with gov
eminent officials appeared wearing Spanish
colors.
In this and many other ways London be-
came at ina period none too comfortable
a dwelling place for Americans, for the
press teemed with anti-American editor
ials. The cessation Of the latter was due
to a remarkable occurrence, which the As
ISOLATED Press Is able to announce for the
first time.
After Dewey's victory Lord Salisbury
took the almost unprecedented step OF COM
municating with the editors Of the leading
conservative dailiea, urging them to desist
from criticism Of the United States, point
ing out how vital 1t was to Great Britain's
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 TO strain it's neutrality to
the point Of helping the United States.
What the Saturday Review now terms
Lord Cranborne's "indiscretion" would
doubtless have brought upon the govern
ment severe criticism had not the Anglo
Japanese treaty diverted public attention,
and had not the alliance been generally re-
garded as a great stroke OF diplomacy.
As It is the dispute has served to strain
to a really serious point the relations be-
tween Great Britain and Germany, which
were none too harmonious prior to the hrs'
question on the subject asked by Henry
Norman In the House OF Commons.
Among the diplomats in London the con-
t~roversy is generally regarded as ofrsettins
the benefits which had been privately
termed Englands oCup In China.
An influential member Of the Spanish
diplomatic service, who Is now here, said
to a representative Of the Associated Press
We view the ~squabble with amusement
but have no Intention OF putting In an oar
S SitS several we say Of r. the the f EaTopean powers
which are now quite satisfactory migh,
be seriously impaired. MoreoXer' we ar
fast laws OF diplomatic secrecy we arr
naturally pleased that the affair hai
brought out the fact that we practically
gave in TO ali the conditions demanded by
the United states and that our submission
on which the ambassadors dehberatef
April II, 1898, was suppressed
This allegation Of the suppression o
SPANS submission is also discussed a
length In English ohicial circles, where 1
is declared tina unless a satisfactory OBJ
lection is forthcoming the incident will b.
handed down to history as a repetition o
Prince Bismarck's action in regard TO tn
Ems dispatch.
There are indications that pourparler
have recently been exchanged by some o
the European powers regarding the Phil
%ippines, exactly for what purpose or will
what prospect Of Undertaking. Into de1nit
action it IL impossible at present TO say
The Associated Press is able to state tina
there has recently been q keen recrudes
eence OF interest in Downing stree
and at other chancelleries in the condition
prevailing In the Philippines and the atti
tude OF the United States toward thost
islands.
Whether this has any connection witt
the Anglo-Japanese treaty Is only a mat
ter for surmise, but that an important In
tsrnational undercurrent exists in regaTt
to the probable future OF those islands 1
undeniable.