The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1890-04-22
SIGNS OF WAR.

w niteltW beiu : ' lie" VI 13uTope-i Hihce
Bismarck's Courtesy to Minister
Phelps and Its Results.
A Washington dispatch of April
I'd says: The visit to the capitol of
WhiteIaw Reid, Minister to France,
has been a matter of more conse-
quence than such events usually
are. Mr.. Reid had business here.
He wanted to know one or two
things about domestic politics and
incidentally to discuss in person
with the Secretary of State the for
eign situation.
Although Mr.. Reid has persist
emily declined to be interviewed, he
has not hesitated to talk very freely
to friends whose discretion he could
trust. Mr.. Reid believes that a
European war is impending and
that all great powers desire the
friendship of the United States.
He gives the reason for the very
unusual degree of intimacy which
existed between the Blsmarcks,
father and son, and CUR Minister at
Berlin. Count Herbert Bismarck S
equipage was known to have await
ed the arrival of William Walter
Phelps, and there was a distinct
sensation in diplomatic circles over
this attention to the American Min
lister.
" Over there" said Mr.. Reid,
"every event of this sort means
something. A smile, a nod or
bow has its current value in diplo-
matte exchange Then Count Bis
marck was Mr.. Phelps sponsor for
membership at the Fencing Club,
the most aristocratic club of Berlin.
Phelps and the Bismarcks were
constantly seen together, and when
the Premier took his final leave of
diplomatic life of all the represen-
tatives Of the great powers none
were invited to be near him but
Mr.. Phelps
"The European diplomats have
been puzzled to account for these
things. This cordial determination
between a Republican and Imper-
ialist is owing to two causes. The
first is that Mr.. Phelps, after he had
finished his education in America,
went to a school in Germany to ac-
quire the language.
"Count Herbert Bismarck was
pupil at this school, and there
the acquaintance begun which
has , resulted so favorably to
this country. 1t has enabled
our Minister to get at the
real head of the German Govern
ment whenever he chose, thing
that has never existed before. Mr..
Phelps will be able to do very
much toward the removal of the
restrictions upon American COM
merce, and he will probably be
able to have the order prohibiting
the importation of American meats
and lard rescinded."
There is a good deal of interest
manifested as to what possible
topic Mr.. Phelps and Prince Bis
marck were discussing for two
hours the day the latter resigned.
The State Department has been
pretty fully advised as to the sub
jects in question. The Prince
wanted to know, first, what this
Pan-American business was about,
and secondly the purpose of the
United States in Strengthening her
navy so enormously. He was told
that the objects Of the Pan-Amer-
lean meeting had been fully set
forth in the circular calling it, and
that the purpose of the United
States in strengthening her navy
was to be able to carry out fully
any treaty she might make with
the republics south of her.
Apropos to the usual courtesies
extended by Prince Bismarck to
Mr.. Phelps, there is manifest dis
position by the heads of all the
great powers to be particularly
civil to Americans. The reason is
easy to see. In the event of war
it would be very convenient to
have friendly ports to put into for
reftting and obtaining supplies.