Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-10
IS BEING URGED TO SEIZE SAMOA
AND ONE OF THE ANTILLES.
WAR TO BE THE OPPORTUNITY.
WILL NOT MIX Up OTHERWISE IN
THE CUBAN TROUBLE.
Cannamaba Incident Satisfncas we'll
Settled-Public Opinion in G,
many Divided as to Ri9ht-t
eousness of the United as VI
States Cause. T1l

Berlin, April 9.-(Copyrighted by the AS
sociated Press) All news of the Hispano-
American crisis is anxiously watched IN
Germany, as the opening OF actual hostiil-
ties is expected. and German interests, es-
pecially her commercial interests, are IN
we'd. The newspapers. although stili
hoping that peace will not be broken, are
beginning to discuss the probable effect OF
war upon trade. Public opinion is much
divided, many Of the papers expressing the
opinion that the United States ought to be
satisfied with the concessions Spain is Of
fering. others declaring. however. that the
United States is right in demanding the
absolute independence Of Cuba as the only
means of preventing a recurrence OF the
disturbances and quietins the just indis-
nation in America at Spanish misrule.
Hardly anybody in serious political cir
cles doubts that war is coming. the points
at issue being deemed irreconciiable, al
though every paper does full justice 10
President McIiinley's moderation and eVi-
dent desire for peace. The national con-
servative newspapers have taken the occa-
sion to point out that in the event OF war
Germany ought to seize the opportunity
to attain objects which her politicians have
been aiming at for years. The Deutsche
Zeitung, the leading organ OF this party.
eisn office is arranging to appropriate Sa-
moa drive the Americans from there and
take possession of one or moro of the An
TILES, if possible the Danish Islands. as
Germany after Cuba has become American
or Independent. will require coaling sta
ton in these waters for her navy and mer
chant marine"
Il is learned at the foreign office here
that the Cannamaba incident has been sat
isfactorily settled. Spain agreeing to pay
$4,000 peSetaS damages for the destruction
Of German property and the lives taken by
the insurgents in that part of Cuba In
consequence of this settlement, the German
warship Geisr has been ordered TO Brazil
instead OF going to Havana for the pur-
pose of collecting an indemnity and pun
ishing the perpetrators Of the outrage. The
new wspapers. however. call upon the gov
ernment to send at least one warsh.p to
protect German interests in case Of hostile
ties, and it is understood the navy de-
partment has instructed the officials at kiel
to send vessel across the Atlantic. In the
event Of an outbreak. the official attitude
of Germany will not be changed. Under
no circumstances will she depart from the
strictest neutrality.
The Spanish ambassador here. Senior
Mendenz de Vigo, made another attempt
during the past week to secure GermanyS
Intervention or mediation, while Emperor
Francis Joseph, OF Austria, renewed his
personal and confidential solicitations on
the same subject with Emperor William.
Germany, however. has taken the position
that the question exclusively concerns the
United States and Spain, and that unless
both of these countries ask German media
ton or good offices. any steps in the mat
ter would be useless.
1t is said on unexceptional authority that
the queen regent is the initiator OF the
movement to enlist the pope in Spain's be-
half, and Emperor Francis Joseph aided
her; but Emperor William warned them
that the step was likely to meet with the
decided disapproyal Of the majority of
Americans.
A diplomat at the Spanish embassy. in an
interview, said:
Spain is ready for war. If it comes.
While 1t is true that large number of
the Spanish people are anxious for war.
the government is trying to avoid it. In
the event Of war. the Spaniards can be de-
pended upon to stand by the queen regent
and young king. in spite of all democratic
conspiring which Is going on. 1t would be
cowardly for them to act otherwise. The
Yankee republic will find the present gen.
eratlON OF SpdnldrCS as chlVairOuS as tnelr
forefathers."
Lieutenant A. P. Nibiack. the United
States naval attache here and at Rome. is
awaiting orders to proceed to Italy again.
Commander Willard II. Brownson. the
agent Of the United States navy depart
ment in Europe. has been given authority
to issue instructions to all the United
States naval attaches in Europe. accord
ing to the requirements Of the situation.
In fact. there is even a possibility that
they may be called home.
On strictly reliable authority, it is learn
ed that all the United States naval at
tacEes have been ordered to end their nego-
tiations for the purchase of warships. mu-
nitions Of war. etc. The reason for this is
that the time is regarded as too short to
allow for the transportation of the pur-
chases to the United States before war is
declared. The same authority says heavy
purchases have been made for war ma
terial, the nature of which is kept q pro,
found secret. but which. in the event of
hostilities. will play most important role
EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS