New-York tribune., 1902-02-16
GOBLIN OR SHORT?
DIsPUTING AS TO WHICH WAS OUR
BETTER FRIEND.
THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE OF APR1r
Il 1sqe
ley TELEGRAPH TO TIE 1RIBUxE.I

tBT TELEGRAPH TO THE IRIBUNE.l
Washington, Feb. 15.-Lord Cranborne's an
swer in the British Parliament Thursday night
10 Henry Norman's inquiry 70 the action of
Ambassador Pauncefote at the meeting of the
European Diplomatic Corps in Washington on
April Il 1898 for the purpose of suggesting
some practical method by which war between
Spain and the United States might he averted
has aroused fresh interest in that subject here
Lord Cranborre's language is held to be am
biguous. if not slightly misleading by those
supposed to know the views of the Continental
powers. For example, Lord Cranborne is thus
quoted
Whatever opinions were expressed by Lord
Pauncefote during the discussion, which was of
an informal character, were personal to himself
and not pursuant to instructions from her maj
esty's government. The discussion resulted in
an agreement TO forward identical telegram
to their respective governments, suggesting
further communication to the United States
Government
Plainly the inference from Lord Cranborne's
statement is that at the meeting referred 10
Lord Pauncefote merely reduced 10 writing the
consensus of opinion expressed by. the other
diplomats present, the most drastic feature Of
which was that intervention by the United
States in Cuba would be 'unjustifable"
The counter statement made by those familiar
with the history from the point of view of the
Continental diplomats is follows: When the
representatives of the six powers had assembled
in the British Embassy the date named
Lord Pauncefote drew from drawer in his
desk the now famous memorandum in the form
of a typewriter document in English. He ex-
hibited eight copies Of this document one for
each Of the Continental powers, and, presum-
ably the other TWO for the of the British
Embassy and the British Foreign Office.
NJ Jules Cambon, the French Ambassador i'm
.I,.,r,y 11s.r rfTit
of the British Embassy. and translated the
note into French. Then followed free dis
cussion Of the proposition, which ended with
the agreement that the diplomats present should
send to their respective governments an identi-
cal telegram containing the aforesaid PROPOSE
ton which had been formulated by Lord
Pauncefote before the meeting assembled 1t
Is declared by some Of those protesting to
know the views of the Continental diplomats
that every one of the diplomats present
Immediately transmitted this note to his
government Just as IT had been written by
Lord Pauncefote before the foreign representa-
tives assembled at the British Embassy. 1t is
also said that the original copy in English,
together with translation of ii in French, Is
now on file in the Foreign Offices at Paris, Ber-
lin Vienna, 81. Petersburg, Rome and London
The implication that its spirit or contents were
dictated by Mr.. Hengelmuller, the Austrian
Minister,
cognizant of the facts, who in substantial sup
mort of their contention point out that Mr..
Hengelmuer does not speak English huently
or write it with facility, and he unquestionably
,,.ould have employed French, the language OF
linIornacv with which he is quite as familiar
&c with German had he composed the note
4 further statement of interest is that the dis
,,,ssion Of the note, after ii was presented by
Lord Pauncefote. was in French, the language
,,sed by all the European representatives at this
canital when assembled for official talks or mere
oo,,rnarIers Lord Pauncefote is thoroughly
familiar with the French language and as doyen
of the Diplomatic Corps indorses by precept its
constant use as the vehicle of communication
between the European representatives here.
The entire matter however. Is of interest TO
Washington at this time only as it may affect
public opinion in this country. and through that
means shape the foreign policy of the United
States While there is no disposition in re-
sponsible circles here to harbor Ill viii toward
any nation for its attitude toward the united
States preceding the outbreak of hostilitles with
Spain. it being we'll understood now that ali
Europe disapproved in a way our energetic
course with relation 70 Cuba, at the same ume
there is a strong desire in Washington among
diplomats. at least. to refute the constantly re-
iterated charge that the Continental powers
through the assertive influence of Austria and
the passive influence of Germany, exercised
here as well as in Europe. favored a coalition
against the United States to prevent the freeing
of Cuba from Spain.
1t is conceded. OF course. that II Lord Paunce
fote composed the collective note without first
consulting the wishes of his government. not TO
Continued fourth page.