Evening star., 1902-02-06
FlatIy Refused to Sign Second Col
leetive Note
IN TEE SPANISH WAR MEDIATION
Official Statement That England
Proposed the Second Note.
SAID WAR WAS UNJUST

A dispatch from Berlin yesterday says:
The German foreign Office confirms the sub
stantial accuracy of the subjoined state
ment, which the Kreuz-Zeitung prints to-
day. relative to Germany's course toward
the United States during the war with
Spain. The correspondent of the Associated
Press understands that the article was pre-
pared by Prof. Schiemann, professor Of his
tory at Berlin University. who enjoys spe-
cial official sources of information. After
a preface quoting the statement made by
British foreign Office official to a represent
tative of the Associated Press, January 81
last, he said:
almost exactly four years ago the Span
ish ambassador here asked Germany
whether. Germany would lead in action
against the United States for the protec-
tion of the monarchic principle The an
swer was a definite refusal, and the same
answer was given q month later, or about
the middle of March, when the invitation
reached Germany to participate in the in
tervention undertaken upon the initiative
Of Austria. This was in the weeks follow
ing the sad catastrophe of the Maine when
it was believed Intervention would facil-
itate understanding between the United
States and Spain. Nevertheless, our gov
ernment commissioned Herr Won Rado-
WITT, the German ambassador to Spain. to
inform the Madrid government that Ger
many was not in position to prevent the
Spanish-American war.
Other Attempts Made.
"After that several attempts were made
to win Germany or the dreibund for the
Intervention, in which the pope was espe-
cially active. The final result was that DR..
Won Holleben German ambassador at
Washington was instructed to join in the
step proposed by Austria only In case all
the other five great powers participated.
1--WE are unable to state the details of how
the united action came about. AT any rate
the collective note was handed to the om-
cIals at Washington April T. advising a
peaceable settlement, and was signed by
England, France, Italy, Austria, Russia and
Germany, 1t was believed for week that
| war would be averted. Gen. Blanco re-
eeived orders from Madrid to offer the Gu
ban insurgents an armistice, for Spain was
resolved to give them far-reaching au-
tonomy and to arrive at settlement Of the
Maine question through arbitration.
Diplomatic circles. however. entertained
no Illusions, and when England, April IA,
through her ambassador. proposed new
collective note, in which the powers should
declare that Europe regarded Americas
armed Intervention In Cuba as un)ustlnaDie,
the other ambassadors telegraphed to their
home governments asking for instructions.
Germany FIatly Refused.
s'The step failed through Germany's posi-
tive refusal. This gives as it appears to
us. A picture essentially different from the
English legend. 49,
"a fortnight later war was declared.
"Afterward, in June and July, while the
United States was making great progress
in the Philippines, England actively tried
to induce the Spanish commission IN Eng
land to ask for peace proposals, for to no
power was the American encroachment in
the Pacific more annoying than to Eng
land.
.eThe above is the historical connection
| of events We hope that in giving the
same we have thoroughly exposed the abb
surClity of the English legend