The Minneapolis journal., 1902-01-28
Inside Spanish War History
Now First Revealed.
WOULD SEND A FLEET
England Intimidated Nations Hos
tile to the United States.
THEN RUSSIA FELL INTO LINE
Statement of One Who Had the En-
tire Confidence of Presi-
.-.,-5 dent Mckinley.

Special to The Journal.
Chicago, Jan. 28.-According to Walter
Wellman, the Washington correspondent
of the Record Herald, in a special to
that paper, an important and almost SEN
sational contribution to the history of the
attempt to form an European coalition
against the United States at the out
break Of the Spanish American war was
made by gentleman not now in public
life, but who. in the spring Of 1893, was
in position to know all the facts.
This gentleman's statement is that the
government Of Great Britain not only re-
fused to join the proposed coalition, but
threw out broad intimation to its pro-
ponents that If they persisted in their
efforts and ATTEMPTED to bring pressure to
bear upon the United States in Spains
behalf, Great Britain would "use other
than diplomatic meaIS is necessary TO
make the coalition harmless. But one
construction can be placed on these words
that if continental powers attempted to
intimidate the United States. Great Brit
ain would make show of force by dis
patching squadron either to American or
Spanish waters, or by some other demon
stration give the most significant evidence
Of her intentions to support the United
States. ., .-.
Was Close to Mckinley.
With some reluctan,e ,e en- account of the
confidential relations which existed be-
tween President Mckinley and himself,
the gentleman consented to make the fol-
lowing statement:
In view Of the false and misleading state
ments which have been made regarding the
attitude Of the powers prior to the declaration
~ thoi m I,Or
Cranbornes reply to Henry Norman, and the
attempt to induce the United States to forget
her friends and give credit where 1t does not
belong 1 feel not only am justified In re-
vealing certain condolences reposed in me.
but it is a duty owe to our own people to
let them know the facts in connection with
one, Of the most important events in our ma
tional history.
One reason why it would be embarrassing
for the British government to make public
the confidential communications that passed
between London and Washington Is that the
publication of these documents would show
that Great Britain did more than she was re-
ally called upon to do. She avowed her pur-
pose to use other means than diplomacy II
necessary to prevent a coalition against the
United States. This intention was made
known to President Mckinley. Later it be-
came known to certain of the European pow
erS. -
The statement is now for the nrSt time made
public by one who had knowledge of the
facts. It cannot be disputed Great Brtain's
purpose was not made incidentally, verbally
or by irresponsible persons. The statement
now make is sustained by documentary evi
dence and was made by persons who had the
power to convert the offer into an actuality.
Presidents Anxiety Great.
In the early days, preceding the declaration
Of hostilites, the fear Of a European coalition
against the United States caused President
Mckinley the greatest anxiety. 1t was wei
known in Washington that Spain was tryins
to and an ally. It was only when the attitud
Of Great Britain became absolutely certain
that President Mckinley felt satisfied Spail
had been isolated. When that was known hi
last lingering fear vanished.
OF the utmost important is it to bear il
mind that up to that time the position o
Russia was not definitely known to the Wash