New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-02
PLEASANT WORDS FROM GERMANY.

Those hasty souls who have regarded Ger
many as a sort OF interna tional marplot may
have to revise their reckoning. There has been
some talk Of German hostility toward the
United States The Emperor was reported to
have spoken i'll OF u.s. and the recent decree
concerning importation Of American fruit was
interpreted by many as indicating an unfrlend-
~ feeling toward this country At most the
Emperor could scarcely have done more than
apply the law Of retaliation for assuredly ne
has been unsparlngly criticised and abused In
this country often without the slightest ground
in truth But there seems TO be no substantial
reason for thinking he did even that No proof
IS forthcoming that he has manifested anlmos-
Try toward the United States. On the other
hand. II Ia certain that be- or his Government.
which Is much the same, has manifested a
friendly disposition toward us in our contro-
vcrsy with Spain. Germany has more than
once sided with Great Britain In negatlving
suggestions Of Intervention or OF meddling with
the business Of this Nation And It is to he
remembered that the only members OF the
diplomatic staff at Madrid who went TO see the
American Minister Off at his departure from
that city were the British Charge d'Affaires
and the Secretary Of the German Embassy. It
have appeared in the German press. But there
IS no indication that they reflect imperial or
high official views Moreover as was seen In
the dispatches IN yesterdays paper the tone OF
the German press is now becoming decidedly
more friendly, while the Emperor IS reported
almost 10 have quarrelled with a brother sover-
eign rather than assume an unfriendly attitude
toward us
Nor is the attitude Of Germany n kindly ono
towa.1 only this branch OF the Anglo Saxon
raF, rLere has OF late been marked access
@. rrlendliness toward Great Britain. The talk
o, the Modern Carthage" Is no longer heard.
The other day the Emperor sent most cordial
message Of congraiuation TO the British Gov
ernmen, on the victory over the pervisheS At
Atbara And whereas few years ago the
Emperor was supposed TO 10 backing tho Trans
vaal ngainet Great Britain the inspired German
press IS now telling The Beers IN the plaincst
manner that they must mend Their ways. ID
erallze their laws. quit making warllke prcpara
tons. and Loyalty accept The suzeraniy ~
Great Britain The British movements IN
China. even the acquisition OF We!Hai Wei.
are approved by Germany. Indeed. on all
hands the German Government seems 10 be
making itself as agreeable as possible 70 the
British. a fact perceived and appreciated In the
United Kingdom. as - attitude toward this
country Is appreciated here.
The fact is there has been altogether too
much international ccnsorousness OF late cspc
clallv over the dongs Of the present German
Emperor That monarch may not always con
duct his Government 10 the liking OF the rest
Of the world He Is not trying 10 do 80, and
there Is no reason why he should. He IA the
German. not the American. Emperor II IL
quite likely that the dolngs Of our President are
often not such as William II likes. But that
is no reason why one country should be per
petually nagging AT the head Of the other. The
German Emperor may have made some mis-
takes If he were IN the category OF those
rulers who never have done so. he would be I'M
commonly lonely. But he las shown himself
TO be man Of parts and character with n
gift for governing and for promoting the inter
csts Of The great empire confided 10 his care.
There are few contemporary sovcreigns who
work al The arduOus task Of rulership more dill
gently or more consc!entiously than he. or, on
the whole Ia better effect. Toward us. Mt any
rate his attitude IS one Of Justice and fricndli-
ness. and that fact must not pass without due
appreciation.