The San Francisco call., 1898-11-14
KAISER WILLIAMS
 VISIT ID SPAIN Devoid of Official Sig
 nificance. ASSURANCES FROM BERLIN HEALTH PREcAUTIoN FOR THE
 EMPRESS. Diplomatic Circles Fear the Spaniards May Make Demonstration
 Through Misunder-
 standing.
HEALTH PRECAUTIoN FOR THE
 EMPRESS.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13-It is un' derstood that assurances have beer given by the German Government tha' the visit of Emperor William of Ger
 many to Spain is entirely devoid of of flcial character or significance; that the official trip of the imperial party ended when they left Palestine, an6
 that the proposed stop at CadiZ an6
 Cartagena is largely health precau-
 tion in behalf of the Empress. as the Sea
 trip would be long and arduous if un-
 broken by these stops at the Spanish
 ports. The assurances appear to be
 voluntary on the part of the Berlin of
 ficials and to be in line with the care
 taken in that quarter of late to minim-
 iZe and remove the bad impression
 caused by several incidents occurring
 during the recent war.
 The State Department had not, so far
 as is known, taken cognizance of the Emperor's movements, and certainly
 there was no purpose of tnquiring as to the stop in Spain, although this ac- ton by the Emperor was looked upon as rather inoportune, to say the least. when the peace negotiations with Spain are at critical Juncture, and when. technicalll- the war is still in progress. At the same time Germany has con- stantly reiterated her neutral and friendly attitude, and the Emperor himself took occasion in his last ad- dress to the Reichstag to i've strong expression to the German purpose to maintain the strictest :mpartiality be- tween this Government and Spain.
 At the same time the officials here and in Gerlin have recognized that a strong public sentiment of animosity was being develoned between the peo- pie of the two countries, and steps have been taken to offset this as far as pos sible. The last move in that direction was at a recent dinner given by Chan celIor von Buelow at Berlin to Andrew D. White, the United States Embassa- dor, and pr. Von Helleben, the German Ambassador to the United States. now visiting in Germany. It was intended that the new Assistant Secretary of State, MT. Hill should be one of the guests, but he was detained in Holland. Private advices received here by off, Cials state that the meeting was inn portant, as furnishing an opportunity for a fir , and full discussion of all the subjects which have threatened to es- trange the two Governments and for the establishment of a much more friendly understanding.
 It is recognized, however, among of- fcials. State and dirlomatic, that while official sentiment is satisfactory, there continues to be an undercurrent of ill., feeling with the nublic and press of the two countries. For this reason the pres ent move of the Emperor in stopping at Spanish ports causes something of a shock in diplomatic quarters; as 1t is felt to be one more obstacle in the way of the happy approachment which was being executed by the authorities here and at Berlin. It Is with view of min- imizing the visit that the assurances are now communicated as to it's non official character.
 The suggestion that the Emperor may be asked by Spain to act as arbitrator between the United States and Spain, i-- case the Philippine issue becomes acute, Is dismissed as absurd, on the ground that no such ~lan would be con- sidered for moment, unless both coun. tries joined in request for it. The ar rival of the Emperor at CadiZ and Car tagena is awaited with considerable ap- prehension by the German authorities, as it may give rise to a Spanish popu- lar demonstration open to misunder- standing in this country. With a view of avoiding such an affair. the German Charge dAffaires at Madrid has been instructed to notify the Spanish Gov ernment of the strictly unofficial char acter of the Emperor's visit.