Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-23
ALL DENY IT.
None Of the European Powers
Willing to Admit
That They Had Any Idea Of Interfering
in Our Recent War.
Russia and France Both Insist That They Fairly
ldolized Us.

Paris, Jan. Elm view Of the state
ment made by Lord Cranborne, the
British undersecretary of state for for
eien affairs. in the House of Commons.
Monday. on the subject Of representa-
tons made to Great Britain before
and after the outbreak Of the Spanish
American war, and the dispatch Of The
Associated Press from London, yester-
day. on the same subject the correspon-
dent Of The Associated Press made in
Quiries in an authoritative quarter here
and received the following explanations
which throw a somewhat different light
on the question:
In the first place, the Spanish nego-
tiations at the end of March. 1898. TO
secure the Intervention of the powers
in her favor. Great Britain took the
same attitude as France and and the
other powers. She neither refused nor
consented to join in collective action.
All the powers We're hesitating until
they ascertained the intentions OF the
others. Russia clinched the matter by
the late Count Mouravieff's blunt rejec-
ton of the proposal.
subsequently. after Gen. Woodrord's
conference with the Spanish premier
and Senior Gullon (the foreign minis
teri. at which the latter indicated the
extent OF the surrender Spain was Will
ing TO make to the United States de-
mlands. the Austrian government be-
lievins SPANS surrender was suffi.
GENTLY to completely satisfy the United
States, instructed its ambassadors 10
propose to the European governments
that note be presented at Washington
urging the United States to accept
Spain's offer and avert war
Tho 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, Francel.
who promised to instruct Lord Paunce-
fote TO act alone, or with his colleagues,
with the view to maintain peace. No
collective action was definitely agreed
upon. though Russia, France and Der
many We're disposed towards a move
ment which would avert an outbreak Of
hostilities.
"A few days. however. before the war
it was declared that Mr.. Balfour had
raised the objection. to which Lord
Cranborne alluded 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 propo-
sticn then fell through. and the subse-
1uent joint resolution of Congress rem
1ered any further action out OF the
question"
This was the extent Of Great Brit
aims action in favor of the United
States.
The statement of a prominent British
oreign office official quoted in the Lon
lon dispatch of The Associated Press,
'egarding Frances alleged support Of
he Austrian proposal, is declared to be
Incorrect. France did not back up the
and the French ambassador
n London confined himself to making
III inquiry as to what view the British
government took of the matter.
Frances attitude, throughout, was
friendly to the United States as wei, as
o Spain, her ardent desire being to
lvert war She took no initiative in
my suggestion tending to put pressure
~ the United States nor at any time
Spain to resistance He
influence was always directed in the
,our parlors of the powers, to main
aiming peace.
The exact value which should be
placed on Great Britain's leaning to-
wards the United States can be guaged
~ the fact that when war was decIar-
ID Senior Gullon was furious, firstly
against Germany. secondly against
russia and only thirdly against Great
Britain. His resentment against Ger
many was due to the latter having en-
outraged Spain to resist and then hav-
ng abandoned her at the last moment.