The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-01

WASHINGTON. D. c., Feb. sS.-The
German government has set at rest ef-
fectually the rumors Of q purpose on its
part directly or indirectly, to embar-
rass the United States In the Philippine
Islands, and has given signal mani
iestatlon OF Its desire to promote the
most cordial relations between Ger
many and the United States by order
ing the withdrawal OF all vessels of its
navy from Philippine waters, and plac-
Ing the lives and property OF its sub
jects there under the protection OF the
United States government. The ac-
tion taken Is regarded here as a master
stroke in diplomacy. by which Will be
removed all possibility OF clash be-
In and about Manila. and notice to all
the world, and especially to any Ameri-
cans who entertained any suspicious of
sinister designs by Germany, OF the
wish and purpose of the German empire
to cultivate the friendship of the United
States. By 1t Germany at once places
in the Islands almost completely in our
hands. The announcement of this act
of the German government came at the
close OF day that had been full OF SEN
sational rumors of clash between the
Germans and Americans in Manila, the
rumors finally going out so far as to
assert tha. Admiral Dewey had fired on
and sunk German vessel at Manila.
False Ru1nOrs
These rumors spread. despite the fact
that the cable connecting Manila with
the outer world is in the control OF the
United States government, so that 1t
might be reasonably expected that it
would be the government TO receive the
first news OF any disaster or collision ut
Manila. and to-day at the white house.
war department and navy department
positive denials were made of the re-
celpt OF any news tending even In the
slightest degree to confirm the rumors.
Even some of the more cautious naval
officers We're infected with fear for the
moment, for while they had not the
slightest idea that there had been any
trouble between the American and Ger
man warships still they realized that
there Is always the possibility of an ac-
NiNNhS kaae uiS-
astrously. rs
These lingering fears in naval circles
We're set at rest finally at the close OF
the day by the receipt OF some dis
patches'from Manila, but without mem
ton of any untoward incident. Based
on this fact, Secretary Aiger. Secretary
Long. Captain Crowninshield and Cen
eral Corbin all took the responsibility OF
denying the rumors tn the strongest
terms.
Finally. at the close OF the day, and
after the close of the departments, an
nouncement was made of the reason for
the great confidence the officials had
In the falsity OF the rumors. the state
ment being authorized that by one bold
stroke Germany had removed all possi-
hility of any clash between hot heads
at Manila. II was announced that the
German government had ordered their
ships away from Manila, probably to
their new naval station, at Kiachu. on
the Chinese coast. The announcement
was coupled with the statement that
the German vessels were needed there.
This may be the case. for the story has
come to Washington that the Chinese
have been abusing some German citi-
Zens, almost In the shadow OF the Chi
nese capital at Tien TslH. The Ger
mans have come to believe that the only
way TO met such cases Is by punitive
measures, and az Ticn Tsin is at the
head Of navigation on the Pie Ho river,
just below Pekin, It may be the pur-
pose to send some warships up the river
to convey an idea OF the German dis
pleasure.
Manifestation of Confidence.
The German government followed its
announcement to the state department
of a purpose to order its vessels away
from the Philippines by formal ap-
plicatlon to the United States govern
ment to undertake the protection OF all
the Germans in the Philippines, not
only In person but in property. This
was regarded as signal manifestation
OF confidence that the administration
felt could not be resisted. and as prac-
tically formal notice that the Germans
have no ulterior purpose in the Philip
pines, and rather than be subjected to
suspicion on that score has taken the
course OF turning over the case Of the
welfare OF their citizens to the United
States government they very prompt
ly accepted the trust, and there will be
no German ships at either Manila or
1loilo TO disturb the relations between
the two countries by forming the base
OF sensational and false rumors.
[ 1t Is not known here at the moment
just what German ships were actually
in Philippine waters. The press re-
ports have mentioned the arrival at Ma
nila Of the German flagship Kaserin
Augusta few days ago. and II Berlin
accounts are accurate. she is the only
representative OF the German navy
there. for the Irene sailed away some
weeks ago.
1t Is possible that by assuming this
responsibility the United States govern
ment has accepted liability for any
damages that may be sustained by the
German residents and interests at Ma
nlln- hut IL Ig tnrnhn hln that tho n nrra-