New-York tribune., 1902-02-16
ENGLAND'S LAST WORD.
NO MORE STATEMENTS REGARDING
THE SPANISH WAR EXPECTED
IN LONDON.
By The Associated PressD

A@C~'@|C'~''
O5y The Associated Press)
London, Feb. 15.-The dispute over the atti-
tude of the powers toward the United States be-
fore the Spanish American War continues TO
take up columns of the London dailles. AS
pointed out by The Associated Press when the
Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Lord Gran
borne. made his first statement. official opinion
is much divided as to the advisability of that
step. Since the later developments the oppos
ton to further disclosures by the British Gov
ernment has been strengthened into deter
mined resolve not to disclose the secret docu-
ments relating to the negotiations Of that period.
Lord Cranborne's statement Of Friday, which
was the result Of cable dispatches exchanged be-
tween Lord Pauncefote and the Foreign Office,
is probably the last word Great Britain will
have to say the subject.
1t would be impossible, however. TO overrate
the irritation expressed In Downing Street at
the German publication OF the documents relat-
ing to the incident though implicit belief IS ex-
pressed that American public opinion Is not
likely TO be Influenced thereby. Should Lord
Lansdowne. the Foreign Secretary. make more
explicit statement regarding the dispute. It
would not advance matters much. for the For
eign Office has no record Of the deliberations at
the diplomatic meeting held In Washington on
April IA, 1895. and Great Brtain's contentious
would thus be only strengthened to the extent
OF the reliance placed on Lord Lansdowne's
word as against the allegations Of the German
officials. Privately. the Foreign Office officials
declare that Lord Cranborne's two replies, es-
pecially his answer to the first note efrectualIy
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 sug-
gestion.
SAIISBURY'S IJNPRECEDFNTED STEP
Among the Americans who were In London in
May 1898, it is recalled. however that an in
tense pro-Spanish feeling existed on many sides,
especially in society. where women related to
government officials appeared wearing the Span
ish colors. In this and many other ways Lon
don became too comfortable a dwelling
place for Americans at that period for the press
teemed with anti-American editorials The ces-
saton of the latter was due to a remarkable
occurrence which The Associated Press is able
to announce for the first time. After Dewey's
victory, and when the English women were not
gayly displaying Spanish rosettes Lord Sails
bury took the almost unprecedented step Of
communicating with the editors Of the leading
Conservative dailes urging them to desist from
criticism Of the United States, pointing out how
vital it 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
government was thoroughly supported 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 'indscretion" would doubtless have
brought on the government severe criticism had
not the Anglo-Japanese treaty diverted public
attention, and had not the alliance been gem
orally regarded a great stroke Of diplomacy
A ic hos
really serious point the relations between Great
Britain and Germany, which We're none too-slar-
monious prior to the first question on the sub
ject asked by Henry Norman in the House of
Commons.
A SPANISH DIPLOMAT AMUSED.
Among the diplomats in London the con-
troversy is generally regarded as offsetting the
benefits which had been privately termed Eng
lands coup in China" An influential member
OF the Spanish diplomatic service, now here
said:
We view the squabble with considerable
amusement, but have no intention of putting in
an Should say all we know our rela-
tions with several of the European powers
which are now quite satisfactory. might be ser-
ously impaired. Moreover we are not In the
habit of breaking the hard and fast laws of
diplomatic secrecy. We are naturally pleased,
fact that practically gave in TO all the con-
ditions demanded by the United States, and
that our submission, which the ambassadors
deberated April IA. 1895 was suppressed
This allegation of the suppression of Spain's
submission is also discussed at length in Eng
lish official circles. where it is declared that un
less satisfactory explanation is forthcoming
the incident will be handed down to history as
a repetition of Prince Bismarck's action in re-
gard to the Ems dispatch.
There are indications that pourparlers havs
recently been exchanged between some of the
European powers regarding the Philippines ex
actly for what purpose or with what urospect
OF materializing into definite action II Is inn
possible at present 10 say. However The AS
sociated Press is able to say that there has re-
Gently been a keen revival OF interest in Down
Ing Street and at other chanceleries in the con-
ditions prevailing in the Philippines and the ar
titude of the United States toward them
Whether this has any connection with the