The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-05
Germany and the Philippines.

While there is nothing as yet alarm
ing in the attitude of the German
press and German government towards
the United States, the relations be-
tween the two countries are exception
ally critical. The German press has
wantonly assailed our policy in the
East. If it's turbulence was the out
come of a national regard for Spain,
or an expression Of its sympathy with
the Spanish people, we should have
nothing to say on the subject. We
have no right to claim an indulgence
from the censorship of foreign journal
lists which we do not show ourselves
when dealing with the politics of other
nations 1t is to be feared, however,
that the German press is giving ex-
preston in its own way to a feeling
or a policy to which the German gov
ernment would not be reluctant to sub
scribe. Without exactly infringing the
international comfy of a neutral pow
er in the Philippines, it has shown
an aggressiveness and ostentatious
disregard of international friendliness
which savors Of latent policy hostile
to us, which we can neither explain nor
ignore, except on the grounds of active
intervention. The dispatch by Ger
many of a formidable fleet to Manila
has been followed by that of other
European powers. There was no good
reason why Germany should expect
that our dealings with the insurgents
would foster anarchy in the islands
or endanger the interests of the hand
full of German subjects, while Eng
land, whose interests are immeasurab bly,
greater, was content to abide by the
protection offered by Admiral Dewey's
guns. Our fleet could easily have re-
duced Manila to ashes at the outset,
but in order to avoid even the appear
ance of injuring the interests of for
eigners in the country we have de-
layed striking with vigor which
would have Enthusiastically displayed to
Germany what our intentions are and
what they will remain while we have
a man or a dollar to enforce them.
The Cologne Gazette pretends TO see
in our inactivity the controlling in
fiuence of England. Even if that were
so, IL is no concern of the German
government. The United States is not
Turkey, nor the Philippines Crete,
nor will their fate be determined by in
ternational congress at Berlin or else
where. We will accept no dictation
from Germany, France, or Russia. We
went to war with Spain without their
consent or paying particular attention
TO their diplomatic protests. In this
hope and with this determination we
will carry on the war and adjust the
commercial and territorial questions
which may arise at it's conclusion. II
the emperor of Germany had wanted
TO focus the public opinion of the
American people on the necessity OF
retaining the Philippines in our owr
hands at all hazards he has taken the
most obvious steps to consummate it
We do not wish to do Germany or the
German peple an injustice. We be-
lieve that they have not the remotes
sympathy with Spain or the emperor!
crazy foreign policy. But it is well L
have these matters clearly understood
II the United States is isolated it Il
not without resources. If, as the Loka
AnZeiger remarks, "A German admira
knows quite well in what fashion h,
has to maintain and protect the inter
ests OF his countrymen," and IL this Il
'the proper answer to the presump
tions Of the Yankee press" we may sa.
that an American admiral has showl
in what fashion he is able to main
tain the reputation Of his countrymei
and that the Germans have yet L
show It, The fghting of the German
Savy Is virgin page. We have n