The Indianapolis journal., 1898-11-14

Germany Hastens to Explain Will
Iinm,s CaII on Spain.

OGrmHnN HASNenS 10 EXDlahH WIZ
IIam's Call on Spain.
WASHINGTON. Nov. BIT is under
stood that assurances have been given by
the German government that the visit Of
Emperor William Of Germany TO Spain is
entirely devoid OF official character or sig
nificance: that the official trip of the IN
perial party ended when they left Palestine
and that the proposed stop at Cadlz ana
Cartagena is largely health precaution in
behalf of the Empress. as the sea trip would
be long and arduous If unbroken by these
stops at the Spanish ports. The assurances
appear to be voluntary on the part of the
Berlin officials and TO be in line with the
care taken in that quarter of late to min
imize 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 inquiring TO the stop at
Spain, although this action by the Emperor
was looked on as rather inopportune, 10 say
the least, when the peace negotiations with
Spain are at a critical iuncture, and when,
technically the war is still in progress. AT
the same time Germany has constantly re-
iterated her neutral and friendly attitude,
and the Emperor himself took occasion in
his last address to the Reichstag to give
strong expression to the German purpose
to maintain the strictest impartiality he
tween this government and Spain.
At the same time the officials here and in
Berlin have recognized that a strong public
sentiment of animosity was being developed
between the people of the two countries,
and steps have been taken to offset this as
far as possible. The last move in that di-
FQcfiOn w q n dinner pry bu
Chancellor Won Buelow at Berlin to Andrew
ID. White, the United States ambassador.
and Dr. Won Hollcben. the German ambas-
sador TO the United States, now visiting in
Germany. 1t was intended that the new
assistant secretary of state, Mr.. HILL should
be one of the guests, but he was detained
in Holland. Private advices received here
by officials state that the meeting was inn
portGnt as furnishing an opportunity for
free and full discussion of all the subjects
which have threatened to estrange the two
governments and for the establishment of
a much more friendly understanding.
1t is recognized, however, among officials,
state and diplomatic. that while official SEN
timent is satisfactory, there continues to be
an undercurrent of i'll feeling with the pub
lie and press of the two countries. For this
reason the present move of the Emperor in
stopping at the Spanish pOFlS causes some
thing of a shock in diplomatic quarters, as
1t is felt to be one more obstacle in the way
of the happy rapprochement which was
being executed by the authorities here and
at Berlin. 1t is with view OF minimizing
the visit that the assurances are now COM
municated as to its nonofficial character.
The suggestion that the Emperor may be
asked by Spain to act as arbitrator between
the United States and Spain In case the
Philippine issue becomes acute is dismissed
as absurd, on the ground that no such plan
would be considered for a moment unless
both countries Joined in request for 1t.
The arrival of the Emperor at Cadiz and
Cartagena is awaited with considerable ap-
prehension by the German authorities, as
it may give rise to a Spanish popular dem
onstration open to misconstruction in this
country. With a view of avoiding such an
affair the German charge affaires at Mad
rid has been instructed to notify the Span
ish government of the strictly unofficial
character of the EmperOr's visit.