Evening star., 1898-06-30
German Interference at Manila
Would Be an 0ffense.
EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION IN CONGRESS-
Views Expressed to Reporters of
The Star.
TROUBLE Is NOT EXPECTED

| cording to expressions made TO Star report
ers today, appears to be that Germany has
| too great commercial interests I'm the United
| States to admit of a wilful interference by
her in the Philippine affair. Ii is thought
/ that the situation there may be extremely
| delicate and tnat trouble might result from
| too great delay on the part OF the United
States in occupying the islands with troops.
| but that, on the whole. 1t IS rot expected
| that Germany will take steps that will be
hostile to the United States.
One suggestion made in explanation Of
the presence of so large a number of Ger
man vessels at Manila is that the talk
| which has been indulged in here about the
| difficulty of the United States retaining
| possession of the Philippines or establish
| ing protectorate over them may have en-
| couraged Germany to believe that We will
| abandon the islands at the close of the war.
and that in that event she would herself
| be prepared to take possession.
Cannot Believe Germany Wants Trou-
BILE.
| Senator Burrows, republican, of Michigan
said that he dill not think IT possible that
Germany could contemplate any lnterfer-
| eEce with plans a Manila II cannot
! believe" he said, that Germany wants
| trouble She knows that II would mean Sc
rious trouble, not with the United Sta7os
alone, if she should undertake any unwar-
| ranted interference, and she would hardly
caro- to assume such responsibility. OF
course If she did interfere we would first
protest and If that were not effective would
| use stronger means of protecting our rights
| and our interests, and should trouble he
provoked between the United States and
Germany England would undoubtedly hs
I do hali
that there is going to be any interference"
Speculation Unwarrnnted.
Senator Fairbanks. republican Indiana.
| said: The information We have is too
meager and the authority of reports too
uncertain to warrant any speculation on
this subject. The subject is too delicate to
be discussed blndly, and 1 do not think il
wise to impugn motives. Nothing has yet
occurred that we know Of to warrant our
| jumping to the conclusion that Germany
contemplates interfering in the Philippines.
Our position is strong and is well under
stood by the whole world"
Does Not Expect Interference.
Senator Teller, silver republican, Colo ,
rado, said that he did not believe that Ger
many intended TO interfere. I'VE are AT
war with Spain," he said, land whatever
we do in the way of taking possession Of
her territory we have & right 10 do and no
nation would be justified in Interfering with
our prosecution of the war / do not think
that Germany intends to Interfere With
out permission German marines may be
landed to protect the property of German
subjects, just as American marines were
landed with the permission of Greae Brit
air to protect American interests at the
bombardment of Alexandra. But no force
pfst ha al
and for Germany to do Sd in defiance Of
our wishes, if 1t were with the authority OF
the German government, would he to COM
init an act of war. think probably that
the reason for the presence of SO MANY
German warsnips at Manila may be found
IN the great amount Of tall. which has been
INDUCED in here to the effect that this gov
ernment should not or would not be able
to retain possession Of the Philippines.
ut is quite possible that this talk has en-
couraged the German government to be-
lieve that We may abandon the Philippines
al the close of the war, and the German
war vessels may be there with the idea OF
taking possession in case we should aban-
don them. / do not think however, that
there is any intention of interfering with
us. We shall settle the question of tho
government of the Philippines when We
agree to terms of peace with Span.''
Can Rely Upon Dewey.
Senator Cannon of Utah said that he had
gIeat confidence in Admiral Dewey, ani
believed that he would be able to meet with
prudence well as courage any situation
that might develop in the Philippines He
thought that could rely Admiral
Dewey, not only to protect our interests,
but to follow such course to avoid un-
tunity for interference on the part of any
one He thought that Admiral Dewey had
shown great skill in the personal rela-
tions he had established with the leader OF
the Philippine rebel forces, AguInaldo. OF
course, Admiral Dewey was not in a posi-
ton to assume official relations toward
Aguinaldo, but had established cordial per-
sonal relations which would insure the
sympathy and whatever assistance we
might need of the natives. This course on
the part Of Admiral Dewey would go a
long way toward preventing trouble from
any quarter.
Does Not Believe Germany Unfriendly..
Senator Lindsay of Kentucky said that
he did not believe that Germany wanted to
antagonize us; yet he could see that a very,
delicate and difficult situation might de-
velop from too great delay in landing our
troops. IL tnere was 100 mucn de.ay IN
landing our troops to preserve order the
German admiral might find some excuse to
justify sending a force on shore, and that
it might then be a delicate and difficult
thing to get them away again. He thought.
however, that it was a mistake 10 think Of
Germany as unfriendly to the United
States. as he did not believe she had any
purpose to antagonize us.
Would Resent Interference.
Senator Wilson of Washington said that
he did not think that under the existing
circumstances Germany would attempt to
interfere with our solution of the question
Of the ultimate government OF the Philip
pines. We had fought our battle and must
be permitted to proceed in our own way 10
settle the problem before u.s. While il was
true that Germany had some interests of y,
trade character amounting to perhapa
three or four million dollars a year In the
Philippines. her trade with the United