The San Francisco call., 1898-05-01
Siqnificance of Withhold ing the Proclamation
 of Neutrality.
In This Peculiar Line of Action the Wishes of Spain Are
 Ignored.
More Than This, Prominent German Officers Offer Their Services to
 the United States.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

BERLIN, April 30 - The United States embassy does not regard the fact of Germany's not issuing a declaration of neutrality as indicative of unfriend- Illness, but rather the reverse; while it reiterates that the Minister for For eign Affairs, Baron von Buelow, has given repeated assurances, some of which have been quite recent, that Ger many will observe the strictest neutral ity, not only now, but throughout the war. coupling with these assurances expressions of the most friendly feel ings of the present German Govern ment for the Government and people of the United States.
 In conversation upon the subject the United States Ambassador, Andrew D. White, said: There is absolutely no reason to expect anything but fair and impartial neutrality from Germany, which is all the United States wanted or expected"
 As matter of fact, Germany's deci- 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 merchants to reap a harvest by selling freely to both combatants. At the same time it may be gathered from the fact that Spain strenuously sought to induce Germany to proclaim neutrality that she regards neutrality as condu- cive to her interests.
 During the visit of the United States Ambassador to Dresden several inter- esting incidents occurred When en route for the audience with King AL bert to present President McKinley's congratulations upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of his accession to the throne MT. White met the Spanish En- bassador to Germany, Senor Mendez Devigo, upon the stairs of the palace. There was a moment of embarrass- ment, then both stretched out their hands and exchanged greetings.
 Mr. White, in presenting President McKinleys letter, made a neat speech assuring his Majesty that he was held in high esteem and affection in Amer gratified. MT. White was also pre- sented to Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria, who warmly welcomed him.
 It is generally remarked that the Austrian Emperor has aged greatly lately His hair and beard, which year ago were only streaked with gray, are now snow white, and the expres-
 
 Mr White, while at Dresden, had freuuent conversations with the Papal Nuncio, Mgr. Lorinzelli, who told him that the Vatican had been ill-advised at it's recent attempt at mediation Continuing, Mgr. Lorinzelli said: What the Pope ought to have done was to induce Spain to give the Pope Cuba, he giving it to the Cubans."
 Despite denials, 1t is fact that many well-known German officers, whose aristocratic names, if published, applied at the United States embassy for permission to join the American forces A large percentage of the American students are en route home to offer their services to the Govern ment.
 The German American Club of Der lin, at a special meeting this week, | resolutions expressing sym pathy and encouragement "in the righteous war against tyrannical Spain.'
 The Prussian Diet on Wednesday ex- debated the questions of | American meat imports Members | American meat inspec- ton as a hoax. They said the meats 1 were affected with trichinosis and pre- served in acids which were ruinous to | health. and pleaded in favor of their total exclusion.
 The Minister of Agriculture. Baron | von Hammerstein-Le Leexten. then an ncunced that an imperial decree to | that effect, which would be valid | Germany was to be | passed. It is understood that a bill to | Reichstag and passed before adjourn |