The record-union., 1898-05-01


tention is so engrossed with the His
pano-American struggle that the re-
convening of the Reichstag and the
Prussian Diet have been almost unno-
ticed. The newspapers print entire
pages of war news from all parts, most
ly unreliable, and much of it is un-
favorable to the United States. Extras
are repeatedly issued alleging great ma
val disasters to the Americans. One
of the worst offenders announced on
Wednesday evening last that four
American warships had been blown up
giving among the victims fictitious
ironclad) off Buenos Ayres.
AS a whole, however, the German
press has ceased its hostile tone to-
ward the United States. For this
change the Government is entirely re-
sponsible as all the newspapers which
are in the habit of obtaining intorma-
ton from the Foreign Office, which
includes all newspapers of Importance
in the Empire were this week given
hint to stop their abuse of the United
States as being directly opposed to the
Governments attitude, besides being
unpatriotic and politically unwise. The
hint was effective. and not line di-
rectly hostile to America has since been
printed in any paper.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press notes that several newspapers,
notably the Frankfort Zeitung," have
adopted a distinctly friendly tone re-
specting the war.
The fact that Paris, Rome and Portu-
guese newspapers, which are even more
unfriendly to the United States than
the German newspapers We're, all point
out that the war is conflict OF the
Latins against the Anglo-Saxons, also
has had some effect in bringing about
the quick change in Germany, and some
of the formerly most hostile German
newspapers are now emphasizing the
view that the interests of Germany are
entirely on the side of America.
For instance, the Berlin Post, which
eniovs close relations with Prince Hoh-
enlohe, the Imperial Chancellor ana
which hitherto mas roundly abused the
United States as 'rapacious" and
..pharisaical." now quotes utterances of
French newspapers, and deduces there
from that it must be clearly to Ger
nanv's interests to side with the enc
mics of France.
~ Among a mass of articles dealing
with the war. the 'Kreuz Zeitung,"
favorite army paper, publishes an ar
ticle contributed by Major Scheibert,
who, judging from personal experiences
during the civil war in the United
States, says: 1.-The Americans doubt
less will incur serious reverses at the
commencement of hostilities, and unless
their navy is strong enough to force a
great battle and demolish the naval re-
sources of Spain, which I think very
doubtful, the war will drag along for
years. and cost America much more
blood and treasure than her people be-
lieve possible"
Herr Liebknecht, the Socialist leader
writes as follows: "The war means
new grouping of the Powers. Hence
forth Europe will have to reckon the
United States as a decisive factor IN the
worlds politics. If the German Gov
ernment is blind, I must open its eyes to
this fact and shape it's political course
accordingly"
In concluding, Herr Liebknecht says:
1.-The United States, as well as Great
Britain, has been preparing to form
during the year past the newest Drel-
bund. the United States, the Great Brl-
tain and Japan If it is effected it means
the end of the old European paramount
power in the worlds policy.
In the Reichstag also this week, dur
ing the debate upon the Kiao Chou al
fair. Herr Liebknecht told the Govern
ment that while they had not INFORMED
the Reichstag of it, he knew that during
the China-Japan war the United states
had informed European Cabinets that II
had yaster material interests 10 guaru
i'm the far east than all the European
Powers, Great Britain excepted ana
whatever was done in the far east the
United States must be consulted. Ihls
statement was contradicted by the Gov
eTnment.
The war is already seriously affecting
German interests The increase in the
price of cereals since April 1st is greater
even than the rise in New York ana
Chicago. Wheat has risen from 15>
marks to 221, the highest in recent
years the effects OF which are mucn
felt by the poor; the price of meat is
also up considerably.
German exporters have decided hence
forth they must insure against war
losses. Premiums now range from one
eighth to one e-half per cent.
exporters of Berlin, Chemnitz, Kiln
penthal Barmen, Sogingen, Gera, Greiz
Markrich and Mulhausen have received
ccunterpartS fOr nlOSl u licAA <AAAieA AoNNiA
orders.
German merchants at the Azores and
Philippine Islands have asked the For
eign Office for protection
The United States Embassy does not
regard the fact of Germany's not lssu-
tng a declaration of neutrality as lndI-
cative of unfriendlness, but rather the
reverse: while it reiterates that the
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Baron Won
Buelow, has given repeated assurances
some of which have been quite recent
that Germany will observe the strlctest
neutrality. not only now, but through
out the war coupling with these assur-
ances exnressions of the most frlendly
feelings of the Present German Govern
ment for the Government ana the people
of the United States.
In conversation upon the suo]ect, the
United States ambassador, Andrew u.
White said: There is absolutely no
reason to expect anything but fair ana
impartial neutrality from Germany,
which is all the United States wanted
or expected"
AS matter of fact, Germany's decl-
sion not to formally declare neutrality
means nothing more or less than that,
while it leaves the Governments hands
free, it is expected to enable German