Los Angeles herald., 1890-04-04
FRIENDLY POWERS.
European Nations Courting
Americas Friendship.
Whitelaw Reid's Conjectures
on the Situation.
He Thinks a Great War is Impend-
ing in Europe.
Hence the Powers are Anxious for Uncle
Sans Friendly Offices Minister
Phelps's Picnic.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches.l
WASHINGTON, April ga dinner was
given at the White House last night by
the President in honnor OF Whitelaw
Reid, Minister to France.
The Import of Reid's Visit.
SAN Francisco, April "a Washing
ton special says: The visit to the capi-
tai of Whitelaw Reid, Minister to France,
has been matter of more consequence
than such events usually are. Mr.. Reid
had business here. He wanted to know
one or two things about domestic poll
tics, and incidentally to discuss in person
with the Secretary of State the foreign
situation. Although Mr.. Reid has per-
sistently declined to be interviewed, he
has not hesitated to talk very freely to
friends whose discretion he could trust.
A European War Impending.
Mr. Reid believes 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 has existed between the Bis
marcks, father and son, and our own
Minister at Berlin. Count Herbert Bis
marck's equipage was known to have
awaited the arrival of William Walter
Phelps, and there was distinct sensa-
tion in diplomatic circles over this atten-
ton to the American Minister
cover there" said Mr.. Reid, "every
event Of this sort means something. A
smile, a nod or a bow has it's current
value in diplomatic exchange. Then
Count Bismarck was Mr. Phelps's spon-
sor for membership at the Fencing club,
the most aristocratic club of Berlin
Phelps and the Bismarcks were con-
stantly seen together, aud when the
Premier took his final leave of diplo-
matte life, of all the representatives Of
the great powers, none were invited to
be near him but Mr.. Phelps.
why Phelps is Favored.
European diplomats have been
puzzled to account for these things.
This cordial determination between re-
publican and imperialist is owing to two
cases; the first is that Mr.. Phelps, after
he had finished his education in
America, went to school in Germany to
acquire the German language. Count
Herbert Bismarck was a pupil at this
school, and there an acquaintance begun
between them, which has resulted SO
favorably to this country. 1t has en-
abled our minister to get at the real
head of the German Government when
ever he chose, a 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 importa-
ton of American meats and lards
rescinded.
Topics Discussed With Bismarck.
"There is a good deal of interest mani
tested as to what possible topic Mr..
Phelps and Prince Bismarck were dis
cussing for two hours the day the latter
resigned. The State Department has
iects in question. The Prince wanted
business was about, and secondly, the
purpose of the United States in strength
ening her navy so enormously. He was
told that the objects of the Pan-Ameri
can meeting had been fully set forth in
tne clrculaf Gaining IL, ana Jllat tne pul-
pose of the United States in strengthen
ing her navy was to be able to carry out
fully any treaty she might make with
the republics south of her
why the Powers Are So Friendly.
'"Apropos to the unusual courtesies ex-
tended by Prince Bismarck to Mr..
Phelps, there is manifested a DISPOSE
tion by the heads of 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.