The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-01-02
OPINION on THE VENEXUELAN
QUESTION Is MORE FAVORA-
BILE TO UNCLE SAM.
imperial CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES
Santa Claus Was Real Kind to German
Royalty-The Restriction on Ameri-
can Insurance Companies May be
Amicably Adjusted.

Berlin, Dec 2S.-(Copyrghted by the
Associated Press.)-German feeling in
'thc Venezuelan difficulty seems to be
'veering around, although the govern
sment studously refrains from an cX-
tpression of opinion. From an unofficial
source it has been learned that several
diplomatic attempts have been made by
Great Britain during the past week to
get Germany to join in movement look
ing to combined European governments
in action opposing the latest application
of the Monroe doctrine. These efforts
have thus far met with non-committal
answers, and unless things assume Il
much more serious aspect Germany will
keep officially out of the thing.
Public feeling is certainly more fav-
~orable to the United States, as the cause
of the trouble becomes better known.
BY the imperial family Christmas was
celebrated quietly. The distribution Of
gifts took place in the shell hall Of the
new palace at Potsdam, where each Of
the imperial princes had tree to him
self and their parents had grand tree
to themselves Among the gifts received
by the empress was miniature of NAL
achite tree from the ear. The three
older of the princes were most pleased
with presents of miniature rifles of the
type of 1883, made especially for them.
Presents were also exchanged between
zhe emperor and his allies, the sovcreigns
of Italy and Austria, and the German
army, through the commanding captain
and delegation of his own company of
guards, presented his ma jcsty with Il
package of Christmas cakes.
A few days ago the emperor received
DIR. Wiegand of the North German Lloyd
Steamship company, and Admiral San
den Bibran, chief of the marine cabinet,
to examine the detailed report of the
plans for the new North German Lloyd
steamers now being built at Stcttn,
which, with the steamers of the same
company at present undergoing recon-
-struction, will be built on lines and plans
designed to make them serviccable in
war times. The emperor showed him
self to be thoroughly informed on all
points Of naval architecture.
An alleged expression of his majesty
during his visit to Breslau is now going
the rounds of the press. Speaking of
the regimcntal he liz quoted as having
snid
not be relied upon in warfare against
Socialism"
DIR. Fritz Friedman, one of the best
known lawyers Of this city, who is miss
ing from Berlin with scandal attached
10 his absence. is understood to be in
London, where he is writing an anthem
tic story of the count Won Kotz case for
publication. DIR. Friedman was Won
K0tZ' counsel when the case was pend
ing. The affair caused quite sensation.
as Won Kotz was one of the masters of
ceremonies of the imperial court, and
nothing seemed too bad for the anony-
nous writer in his exposures. The mis-
g sives are said to have caused the most
serious family troubles.
Won Kotz was afterward released from
custody and has apparently been cleared
of the charges brought against him.
Dr. Friedman went to Paris as Won
Kotz legal representative in order to
restrain the much-talked-of woman who
profcsscd to have n thorough knowledge
of the whole affair.
DIR. Frcdmann's book, il is understood
is to be full of sensations rejecting upon
distinguished persons moving in the high
est circles of Berlin. Gambling debts are
stated to have influenced Dr. Friedmann's
departure.
Diplomatic negotiations have been re-
sumed between the American embassy
and the German foreign Office with view
of settling the proposed changes in the
.,extradition treaty. The United States
claims that cXtraditablc crimes should
he more precisely defined.
The presence here of Mr.. Poultney Bige-
low as the representative of the Ameri-
can insurance companies, together with
yIhc energetic representations OF the
United States embassy during the past
fortnight and the fall of Baron Won koel-
Ter, the Prussian minister for the interior,
who was the prime mover in the uncerc-
monious exclusion Of the American in
surance companies from doing business
here, are looked upon here rs hopeful
signs that the matter will be finally and
amicably adjusted, though this will prob
ably take II month to accomplish.
Mrs. III. &. Squires, wife of the second
secretary of the United States embassy,
gave u large children's Christmas party
in German fashion on Wednesday last
The United States ambassador, Mr..
Theodore Runyon, Prince Ghika and
Baron Lcetz were among those present.
Mrs. Charles De Kay, wife of the
United States consul general, is to give
n ball on January g.
Prince Hohenlohc. the imperial chan
.ccllor, took q trip to Vienna from his
on Friday last in order to see his brother.
the court marshal of Emperor Francis
Joseph, and also to return the visit which
Count Goluchowsky, the Austrian min
lister for foreign affairs paid him last
summer nj Ousse.
The pope has conveyed to Emperor
William his warm Acknowledgement of
his majcsty's readiness to grant the per-
mission necessary of the interment of
the remains of the late Cardinal Paul
Milchers in Cologne cathedral.
1t is stated that il is now settled that
Prince Henry of Prussia will represent
Emperor William at the approaching
coronation of the ear nj Moscow.