The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-09-11

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copyrighted. 1898. by Associated Press.
BERLIN, Sept. 10.-The news of the
important understanding arrived at
| between Germany and Great Britain
has caused sensation. The matter
engroSsed public attention throughout
the week. The first reports were so
exaggerated as to draw out formal de-
mails from the Government here, which
1t is seriously feared such overdrawn
versions of the affair would endanger
Germany's friendliness with Russia.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press has had several interviews with
the Foreign Office officials, authorized
by the Government. The most signifi-
cant statement was made by an official
who has been Minister for Foreign At
fairs, Baron Buela. 1t was as follows:
/ AN understanding has been reached
between England and Germany on
certain points which have long been
under discussion. The agreement is
limited, and far from being of the wide
reaching nature reported by the news
paers. The reports in the English
newspapers are mostly guesswork, the
wish being father to the thought. There
have been many questions in dispute,
such as TOgoland, in Southwest At
frica. These are now settled, beside
other questions which might have
! caused difficulty in the future, such as
Delagoa Bay and ajoint loan to Por-
tugal
The significance of the agreement
does not lie in the Importance of the
subject. The fact that it furnishes the
no Gic toll ic c1tf
ficient. The Emperor's telegram was
sent after he had a knowledge of the
action of the agreement, and is indi-
cative of his intention to carry out
the spirit of the new understanding
The agreement will improve the rela-
tions existing between the two coun-
tries. There was a dark spot in the
political relations of the two nations
in South Africa, which has now been
removed, and all fears of unpleasant
relations there have now been dis
carded."
1t will be observed that the German
officials carefully avoid the use of the
word treaty"
The new understanding between Ger
many and Great Britain was received
with mixed feelings. The Liberal press,
which naturally gravitates toward
Great Britain, treats it with outspoken
friendliness, while the Conservative
and Pan-German newspapers express
the fear that it may prove another edi-
ton of the Caprivi agreement regard
ing Zanzibar. which is still greatly con-
demned by the whole press. Hopes
are also expressed that the agreement
may not mean the complete abandon
met of the Beers and German influence
in South Africa.
The ''Vossische Zeitung." which 9TH
erwise joins in fully with the news,
says the surrender of Germany's influ-
ence in South Africa would be fraught
with evil, though it admits that the
Transvaal Republic has disappointed
it's German friends.
There is much anxiety here in re-
gard to Germany's quid pro quo, but
in spite of the daily demands of the
press for the publication of terms, the
Government does not intend to reveal
them, both Cabinets having agreed
upon secrecy. Germany, naturally IS
greatly interested in the Portuguese
loans. of which she already holds 161,-
100000 marks. For seven years Por-
tugal has only paid a third of the in
terest due meaning a loss to her Ger
man creditors of 100000 marks. A
high official tells the correspondent of
the Associated Press that the agreement
between Great Britain and Germany
was an experiment to their joining the
Cars conference. In regard to the
latter, member of the Russian En-
bassy says he does not expect an early
conference. and he admits the POSSIBLE
iyt of one or omerofthePZueCotnuT
ity of one or more of the Powers re-
fusing to join, in which case it wouid
be dropped.
The officials of the Foreign Office
here also said the German Government
hopes the United States will join in the
peace conference at least by appointing
delegates and referendum.
The newspapers comment upon the
munificence of the United States, which
has Just paid the widow Lorenzen, in
Sondenberg, 2 100 marks, and bestowed
upon her pension of $50 marks for the
loss of her only son, who was one or
the victims of the Maine disaster.