Mr. Storer to Mr. Sherman.
Brussels, February 19, 1898.
Sir: I have the honor to report that the condolences and sympathies of the Belgian Government with the people of the United States on the frightful disaster to our marine in the loss of the Maine have been most warmly expressed by the minister of foreign affairs, who called [Page 1049] on me for that purpose, with the request that the same be transmitted to you.
Similar feelings on the part of the King were brought to me by his chief du cabinet.
I take pleasure in reporting that nearly all the representatives of the various powers represented at Brussels also called to express in the most sincere way their own feelings and those of their respective governments of sympathy and regard for the United States, the first to do so being the Spanish minister, M. de Villa Uevetia.
I have, etc.,