Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-04-04
CIGAR MANUFACTURERS,
EUROPEAN WAR IMPENDING.
AT Least That is the Private Opinion O.
Minister Reid.

Minister Reid.
WASHINGTON, April 3d.-The visit to the
Capitol of Whitelaw Reid, Minister to
France, has been matter of more conse.
quence than such events usually are. Mr..
Reid had business here He wanted "a
know one or two things about domestic
politics and incidentally to discuss in per-
son with the Secretary of State the foreign
situation.
Although Mr.. Reid has persistently de.
clined to be interviewed, he has not hesi-
tsted to talk very freely to friends whose
discretion he could trust. Mr.. Reid be-
lieyes that European war is impending
and that all the great powers desire the
friendship of the United States.
He gives the reason for the very unusual
degree of intimacy which existed between
the Bismarcks, father and son, and our
Minister at Berlin. Count Herbert Bis
marck's equippage was known to have
awaited the arrival of William Walter
Phelps, and there was distinct sensation
in diplomatic circles over this attention to
the American Minister.
Over there" said Mr.. Reid, every
event OF this sort means something. A
smile, nod or bow has its current value
in diplomatic exchange. Then Count Bis
marck was Mr.. Phelps sponsor for men,
bership at the Fencing Club, the most aris-
tocratic club of Berlin. Phelps and the
Blsmarcks were constantly seen together,
and when the Premier took his final leave
OF diplomatic life of all the representatives
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 fraternization between a Republi-
can and lmperialist is owing to two causes
The first is that Mr.. Phelps, after he had
finished his education in America, went to
school in Germany to acquire the Ian
guage.
Count Herbert Bismarck was a 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 Gov
ernment whenever he chose, thing that
has never existed before. Mr.. Phelps will
be able to do very much toward the re-
moval of the restrictions upon American
commerce, and he will probably be able
to have the order prohibiting the importa-
ton OF American meats and lard re-
scinded.n
There is a good deal of interest mani
tested as to what possible topic Mr. Phelps
and Prince Bismarck were discussing for
two hours the day the latter resigned. The
State Department has been pretty fully ad-
vlsed as to the subjects in question. The
Prince wanted TO know, first, what this
an-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 Pam
American meeting had been fully set forth
in the circular calling it, and that the pur-
pose of the United States in strengthening
her navy was to be able to carry out fully
any treaty she might make with the repub-
lies south of her.
Apropos to the usual courtesies extended
by Prince Bismarck to Mr.. Phelps, there is
manifest disposition 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 convent.
ent to have friendly ports TO put into for
refitting and obtaining supplies.
Going Back to the Mosaic Laws.
WASHINGTON. April 3d.-A reform con.
ference organization has been formed for