The herald., 1898-11-14
WILLIAMS VISIT
NOT INTENDED TO COMFORT
THE sPANIARDS
THE DIPLOMATS OF GERMANY
Exceedingly Anxious That the Pur-
pose of the Emperor's Action
Shall Not Be Misunderstood
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Nov. l3.-It is under
stood that assurances have been given by
the German government that the visit OF
Emperor William of Germany is devoid OF
political character OF significance; that the
official trip of the emperor ended when he
left Palestine and that the proposed stop
at Cadiz and Cartagena is largely a health
precaution in behalf of the empress, as the
sea trip will be long and tedious II un-
broken by these stops at the Spanish ports.
These assurances appear to be voluntary on
the part Of the Berlin officials and to be IN
line with the care taken in that quarter OF
late to minimize and remove the bad I'M
preston caused by several incidents occur
ring during the recent war. The state de-
partment had not, so far as is known, TAX
en- cognizance of the emperors movements
and certainly there was no purpose OF In
quiring as to the stop in Spain, although
this action by the emperor was looked upon
as rather inopportune to say the least, when
the peace negotiations with Spain are at a
critical juncture and when technically the
war is still in progress. At the same time,
Germany has constantly reiterated her neil
tral and friendly attitude, and the emperor
himself took occasion in his last address to
the reichstag to give strong expression to
the German purpose to maintain the strict
est impartiality between this government
ana Spain. At the same time the officials
here and in Berlin have recognized that Il
strong public sentiment of animosity was
being developed between the people of the
two countries, and steps have been taken to
offset this as far as possible. The last move
in that direction was at recent dinner CIV
en- by Chancellor Won Buelow at Berlin to
Andrew d White, the United States am
bassador, and DR.. Won Holeben, the German
ambassador to the United States, now visit
ing in Germany. 1t was intended that the
new assistant secretary of state, Mr.. Hill,
should be one of the guests, but he was de-
tanned in Holland.
Private advices received here by officials
state that the meeting was important and
furnished an opportunity for free and full
discussion of all the subjects which have
threatened to estrange the two governments
and for the establishment of a much more
friendly understanding. 1t is recognized.
however, among officials, state and diplo-
matte, that while official sentiment is sat
isfactory there continues to be an under
current of ill-feeling with the public and
press of the two countries. For this reason
the present move of the emperor in stopping
at Spanish ports causes something of a
shock in diplomatic quarters, as it is felt
to be one more obstacle in the way of the
happy approachment which was being exc
cuted by the authorities here and at Ber-
lin. 1t is with view of minimizing the visit
that the assurances are now communicated
as to its non-official character.
The suggestion that the emperor may be
asked by Spain to act as arbitrator between
the United States and Spain in case the
Philippine issue becomes acute, is dismissed
as absurd on the ground that no such plan
will be considered for a moinent unless both
countries joined in a request for it. The
arrival of the emperor at Cadiz and Carta-
gena is awaited with considerable appre-
hension by the German authorities as it
may give rise to a Spanish popular demon
stration open to misunderstanding in this
country With view of avoiding such an
affair the German charge daffaires at Mad
rid has been instructed to notify the Span
ish government of the strictly unofficial
character of the emperor's visit.