Evening star., 1898-07-14
Germany in the Philippines.

From the Philadelphia Press.
Admiral Dewey's report confirms the very
serious announcement that the German
cruiser Irene interfered with military OPP
erations in Subig bay. These operations
were those of the insurgents, and the Irene
retired on the appearance Of the Raleigh
and Concord but German interference
with the insurgents will have a most un-
fortunate effect on public feeling in this
country. The insurgents are armed by
Admiral Dewey. Their commander, Gen
eral Aguinaldo, reached Manila bay on an
American vessel. Their base of operations
at Cavite is under the guns of the Ameri-
can fleet. While not using the flag of the
United States or under the command of
Its officers, the insurgents are irregular
auxiliaries whose character and standing
have tacitly but none the less clearly been
recognized by this country.
If the Irene actually prevented the at
tack on Grande Island in Subig bay her
commander took step whose formal dis
avowal will be Indispensable at Berlin If
serious complications are not to ensue.
The action Of the German commander
who could have taken no such step except
under orders from Berlin, looks extremely
like deliberate desire and purpose to
provoke a collision with the Insurgents
which would offer an occasion for an
armed action Of Germany 1t is to be
hoped that all that happened was that the
insurgents assumed that the Irene would
interfere from her position, but that no
=
manity' is nonsense. War is in progress
In the Philippines, and If the war is not
being properly conducted Washington and
not Subig bay is the proper field for Ger
man remonstrance.
Neither the government nor the ueople
OF this country desire any row with Ger
many. At no point do our real interests
connict, and at none can Germany wisely
place itself in the path of the limited
States. But 1t would be idle to avoid seoN
Ing and saying that German policy at
Manila has bred bitter Irritation in this
country and rendered the policy and posi
tion OF our government very difficult.
The plain people Of this country are
coming to feel that there is nothing to be
done but to serve emphatic notice nm .u
concerned that the United States will hose
its own job at Manila. The administrator
Which mas to consider much and 1oot ha
rore and after, is undoubtedly anxious to
put the best possible Interpretation on ali
German acts and utterances This is
wise. No one wishes to seek offensa
But II the German kaiser really wapts
10 put the government at Washington In
position where neither concession nor
eolnpromise Is possible and where no in
terests can be considered in the pb,,,,
pines but our own, he is taking iuat tha
steps to bring this about. Week bv waaE
hauohaf feeiing Is mounting. If no Car
man vessels had gone near Manila tha
proposition OF German coaline station on
soiiie one OF looO islands we do not want
ana cannot use would have struck no one
as Objectionable. The German feet has
changed that. Now that the Irene has
actually interfered at Grande Island there
Will be another change
ihis IS the most accommodating coun-
Try on earth when 1t is fairly treated. hut
we take no crowding and any signs I'm
tnat direction put us In the middle Of the
road, and the road generally nroves onIv
broad enough for one