Omaha daily bee., 1896-01-12

they we're at school together Mr.. Blgelov
returned to London today on his way bach
TO make his report. and I learn from hin
the main details OF his mission. The very
hostile action against American Insurance
companies, chiefly life taken by the Prussiar
Department Of the Interior, eliminated last
year Within the sphere OF the affairs OF tn,
kingdom the Prussian government Is In
dependent Of the national German govern
ment
STORY OF SUCCESS AND JEALOUSY
Some sixteen years ago, after careful in
quiry into the condition Of three great life
insurances OF the United States, the Equita-
BILE, the Mutual and the New York, made
through the German legation at Washing
ton, a commission was granted to them
by the Prussian government to do business
in the kingdom. They had already estab-
lished very great business in England ana
France, which is constantly increasing under
liberal regulations, similar to those which
govern the English and French companies.
They began Immediately a like success IN
Berlin and throughout Prussia, They built
edifces in Berlin, as notable in their way
as those they have in New York.
But a few years ago, obviously at the
instance OF the home companies and in the
same line as the recent essentially prohibi-
tive orders concerning our food produce, the
Prussian government began to enforce a
series OF regulations unfair and vexatious
and directed against the American com
panes alone that they found themselves
unable TO 90 DuSl0eSS u0ueT lneIl Ut pIOHtt
and last summer withdrew altogether from
soliciting new insurance in Prussia, forced
indeed, out of the country.
FURIOUSLY HOSTILE OFFICIAL.
Mr. Bigelow arrived in Berlin just before
Christmas He found the minister of the
interior absent, but he had several inter
views with the official directly in charge Of
the question. This chief OF the department.
was furously hostile to fhe New York COM
panies, declaring that he knew them from
nnaI
Mr.. Blgelow presented him with official proof
he had to the contrary, but the next day he
received from him copy of German news
paper attacking the credit of the companies.
with an official note to the effect that this
proved the governments case.
When the minister himself returned, Mr.
Bigelow had several interviews with him in
which he received every courtesy and atten-
tion. He furnished the minister, Won Der
Decken, documents, showing the satisfactory
condition proved by the examination OF the
companies, with their own sworn proofs Of
financial condition. and communicated an
offer Of the companies to pay the expenses of
a Prussian commission to New York to YER
ify all the statements. He pointed out what
injury to German interests in New York
would follow retaiatory measures there, and
the injustice of the prohibitive nature Of the
Prussian regulations. purely arbitrary. and
without a fair examination. What would be
the injustice and injury to the North German
Lloyd Steamship company. for instance, he
urged If the city or state Of New York should
arbitrarily enforce regulations against that
company which should compel 1t to give up
its traffic with the United States? He called
attention to the fact that there had been no
complaint from those in Prussia who had in
sured with the New York companies.
AFRAID OF RETALIATION.
The minister promised to make an imme-
diate and careful inquiry into the question.
Mr.. Bigelow was assured by other prominent
minister's both of the kingdom and Of the
imperial government, that the general sub
ject of German hostility to American products
and business especially in view Of President
Cleveland's clear intimation of retallatory
measures, was receiving their careful atten-
tion.
1t is my own opinion, frcm many evidences
at hand of the political powers OF the agrcul-
tural party in Germany, strengthened lately
by the universal war feeling, that the chance
of any concession to the United States is now
slight, indeed, unless 1t comes from fear of
this retaliation. The facts | cabled to the
World yesterday, regarding the certainly vas
injury to German trade following upon war
with England, will prove the strongest ma
tional argument against that war. What Is, |
indeed, the German emperor's underlying
motive? 1t is personal to this degree, that
he is notorieusly on bad terms with the |
male members OF the British royal family |
and resents the lordly manner Of superiority |
of the athletic Englishmen at Cowes ana |
in the English court This has an undoubted |
influence with the young autocrat Of Ger |
many, and the personal hatreds of autocratic |
sovereigns have led to many wars in the
past.
WILLIAM AS A MATCHMAKER
There is another personal explanation, in
his avowed desire to arrange the marriage |
Of his eldest son and heir to the young queen |
wIlhelmina of Holland, and the possible
union of her kingdom thereby with the Ger
man empire, giving Germany Hollands sea-
coast and ports. Hence, perhaps, his ex-
pressed sympathy for the Dutch Beers is
meant to influence their relatives in Hol-
land. But the unanimous enthusiastic sup
port he got from all Germany shows that
his hostile telegram expressed the feeling of
his people, whose enmity to England is
spurred by commercial rivalry all over the
world, because England has pre-empted the
best countries everywhere.
The colonial desire of the German people,
though born only since the war Of 1870 is
now the most passionate of all their aspra-
lions. Bismarck always opposed this colonial
idea, and his organ. the Hamburger Mach
richten, sounded the only really peaceful
note among the German press this week
Personally hostile to England as the iron
was. ne appreciated the certain
injury, with no compensation to Germany,
)f a conflict with her, and during the
CAMERON dispute of 1885 he concluded a
speech deprecating the quarrel as follows:
I BISMARCK'S IDEA OF ENGLAND.
"In the light of my diplomatic experience
can see no reason why disturbance of peace
should be possible between us and England
inless an unheard Of ministry in England
which Is not there at present. nor at all
likely to be, judging by the hereditary po-
itcal wisdom of the English nation-were ;
o attack and invade us. Then of course, !
We should defend ourselves. But apart from |
his improbable contingency, there exists no |
eason for disturbance of peace. Our DIFF
erences with England will. as far as human {
,eings can foresee, never be Of such impor- ,
ance that they could not be settled by honest !
,ood will and such able. cautious diplomacy ,
IS will doubtless always be pursued by u.s." ,
II the story Of the kaiser's pacifcatory /
etter TO the queen is true, we may consider | +
hat, confronted with Englands readiness for /
'ar, her immediate preparations and the v
ertain dreful consequences to Germany. the t
aissr has thought better of his first angry i
impulse and is asking that bygones be by
ines. But he Is not likely to come to Cowes
ext autumn. If he and his grandmother
leet, as is now arranged. at the Coburg {
Iedding. in April there may be another of
h. royal family lectures for which her
lajesty s famous. liz
ON AMERICAN INTERESTS. A
Meanwhile the American controversy is 3
ardly spoken Of here, except for purely aca- =
emiC dlspuasinn |