The evening times., 1898-09-19
GERMAN Aims DETECTED
Scheming toObtain Possessions
in the Philippines.
AMERICA WILL PREVENT IT
A Settled Determination That No Ma
Rights of This Government-Spain
VIII Not lie Allowed to Dispose of
Any of the Captured Islands.

The impression here that Germany is
planning to make mischief for America
and scheming to share in the disposition
of the Philippines. is daily becoming
deeper and more widespread.
The authorities have learned that. act
ing under instructions from Berlin, the
German commander-in-chief of the Ash
attic station has made an exhaustive ex-
animation of the coal deposits of the ISL
ands.
He was assisted by a German engineer
who had been temporarily assigned to
his squadron for the special purpose of
locating coal. That engineer conducted
a thorough investigation, and his report.
which has been submitted to the Berlin
government through Vice Admiral Won
Diedrich, shows that the best Ignite de-
posits are located on the Island of Cebu,
one of the Visayas group.
This information has been received
from one of the representatives of this
Government in Germany, and has been
considered of sufficient Importance to be
presented to the Peace Commissioners
for their consideration. Officials in this
city admit that there can be but one OBJ
ject which would lead the Berlin govern
ment to direct such an investigation
the desire to extend German jurisdiction
over the island which has the largest
beds of coal best adapted for steaming
purposes.
Such an island is Cebu, reports which
have been received showing that Ignite
of a good quality is found there in large
quantities. Germany would find Cebu ex-
ceedfngly valuable as a coalng station,
as il would not necessitate the establish
ment of a coal pile at Kiao Chou, which
she recently obtained.
Aware of Germanys proceedings, the
authorities are taking precautions TO pre-
vent the c0nsummation OF any plan which
will enable them to reach fruition. The
Berlin government, by the reduction of its
fleet in Manila Bay, gave an Indication
of its desire TO remain on friendly terms
with this Government. While regretting
the maintenance of such a large force at
Manila. no protest was made by this Gov
ernment, and the action of Germany in
reducing its naval force was entirely vol
untary. The report made by the German
engineer explains to the officials why the
German vessels were steaming among the
islands.
President Mckinley does not propose to
permit Germany to acquire any of the
Philippines or TO permit Spain to dispose
of inch of territory in the Far East.
Under the instructions which have been
given 10 the American Commissioners,
they will demand of the Spanish represen-
tatives reversonary rights in the islands
for the United States. and an agreement
will be reached which will give this Gov
ernment a voice in the disposition and
government of the ISLANDS in the future.
Administration officials appreciate that
it would be very unwise 10 permit any
European power except Spain to have any
thing to say regarding control of the
islands. The action of Germany was dis
cussed by the President with his advisers
and there was a unanimous disposition to
prevent that government from extending
its jurisdiction over any of the islands.
1t is no longer a secret that Germany Is
the only nation from which the Govern
ment apprehends trouble in the settle
ment of the Philippine question, and it
was 10 avert the commitment of an overt
act that the President determined to SO
strengthen Rear Admiral Dewey's COM
mand as TO make 1T the superior of the
German feet in Asiatic waters.