New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-21
ENJOYS LEAVE LONDON.
Departure Of Ambassador Without
SignifCance-RumOrS Denied.

London, Feb 20-The French Ambassador.
". Cambon, left London to-day for weekend
visit to Paris. 10 frequently does. The Ger
man Ambassador. Count MctteTnich. is also
absent on a weekend visit. No significance Is
attached to the absence % these ambassadors
from London.
Count Benckendorfr. the Russian Ambassador.
left London this morning for ST. Petersburg.
The afternoon newspapers made sensations out
OF his departure. connecting It with rumors that
the Car was displeased with his ambassadors
at Washington and London and With his former
Minister at Toxic owing 10 the recent turn %
affairs. and out Of baseless rumors Of threaten
Ing European trouble. The Russian Embassy
said positively that Count BenCkendoTT had
gone 10 St Petersburg for three days 20 bid
farewell to his son, who Is going to the Far
East with his regiment The embassy added
that the ambassadors journey was in no way
connected with his position ambassador. The
Foreign ONCE here confirms this.
The uneasincss exhibited on the Continent IN
regard to the possibility that European war
may ensue from the struggle in the Far East
Is not shared by Great Britain. No power has
made such complete naval preparation for every
contingency. and yet nowhere is confidence
greater that the hostlities will be confined 10
Russia and Japan than II is IN London The
naval and military preparations announced
rom tnrtneutdl capitals are regarded mere as
being mere common sense measures which any
power must adopt however remote the contin-
gency Of their employment may appear 1t is
also thought that the IuIl in the actual war
news has led many European correspondents to
employ their spare time in exaggerating the
Continental action and in attributing such steps
as have actually been taken TO erroneous mo-
tives The latest OF these. the dispatch from
Madrid announcing that preparations have been
made 10 send achievements 20 tho BsIearic
Islands meets emphatic denial in interested
quarters, and the additional statement from
Madrid that Great Britain intends to seize Span
ish points in the event OF war has not even the
semblance OF probability. Il Is learned that at
the presen: moment Spain and Great Britain
are the verge Of concluding an arbitration
treaty. and that in other ways their diplomatic
relations are closer than they have been for
years past.
! At the Spanish Embassy here It was en-
phatiCaIly declared that the movements OF Span
fish troops not due 10 a warning from Great
and comparatively unimportant precautions that
an nations must take when one OF the great
powers is involved I'm war. Especially. It was
pointed out. should Spain be In position to
enforce the laws OF neutrality, as her island
/ possessions IN the Mediterranean and the Ca
naries in the Atlantic easily lend themselves
geographically TO become the seat Of possible
disputes.
At the Foreign ONCE and at the Spanish En-
bassy Ohe latter being particularly well in
formed Of the diplomatic moves Of the other
European chanceieries) the belief is entertained
that other European power will be involved.
least OF all Spain. which has direct or indirect
interest at stake. "AT the rumors" the Foreign
Office said. that European complications are in
sight are quite baseless-"
Washington, Feb 20-At the Russian En-
bassy the dispatch from London announcing
that the Russian Ambassador is going 10 81.
Petersburg to see his son is confirmed. All re-
ports attaching further Significance 10 the am
bassador's movements are characterized as ridic-
ulous. 1t is pointed out here that Ambassador
Cambon goes 10 Paris every fortnight and that
there is no cause for alarm at the report that he
I has lpf London