The times., 1899-03-02
GERMANY's FRIENDSHIP.
statement of the Correspondent of
the "North German Gazette"

Statement of the Correspondent OF
the ..North German Gnxetfc.v
The correspondent In Washington OF the
North German Gazette gave out yes
terday a communication which may be-
considered TO fairly represent the opinion
prevailing in official German circles as
TO the action OF her citizens in the Archi-
pelago under American protection. The
communication runs as follows:
Unexpectedly as the news OF the act
OF the German government has come. 1t
is evident at the same time that the For
eign Office at Berlin has done so purely
frcm its own good will in order to give
TO the Government and people of the
United States an overwhelming proof CT
the sincere friendship borne by Germany
toward the great North American Rspub-
lie. The declaration given Tuesday by the
Imperial German Ambassador. Dr. Won
Hoileben, here, to the Secretary 1f State
as well as by Baron Won Buelow in the
session OF the budget committee OF the
Reichstag, established beyond all doubt
the fact that Germany has not the slight
est wish Of interfering with America in
her Philippines policy. a more impressive
evidence OF the trust put by Germany in
the United States by placing the interests
of the German citizens in the Philippine
Islands under American protection could
hardly be imagined. Some of the good
friends of Germany will in all likelihood
not neglect the opportunity to criticise the
action of the Berlin Foreign Office in
the light of weak retreat before this
country. These friends would Go well TO
remember that Germany has the best and
strongest army in the world besides a
powerful navy and a well filled treasury.
1t was in the consciousness OF her strength
that Germany resolved to put final stop
to those mischievous attempts to disturb
the good relations existing between the
two countries since the days of Frederick
the Great.
American editors and newspaper CORE
spondents should at last see these busy
bodies who wish to fish in troubled waters
in their true light and mercilessly expose
them. A little more than two weeks ago
the Imperial Secretary OF State for For
eign Affairs most emphatically declared
in his great speech in the Reichstag that
he saw no point where German and Ameri-
can interests met in hostility. or were like
ly to cross each other inimicaliy In future
Yet what host OF canards have since the
day of that speech February III circulated
through the columns of the American
press, Germany aiding the insurgents.
Germany landing 10000 marines. Ger
many'ss sinister schemes on the Samoan
Islands-such were some of the headlines
to say nothing of the pending economic
questions
Notwithstanding the most emphatic de-
niais on the part OF the German authori
ties. these canards found their way into
most respectable newspapers. to the deep
grief of the German-American part OF the
population of the United States. that Bit
terly resented these vile attacks upon the
land in which they or their parents were
born. From Chicago comes the news that
the German-Americans there are oTganiz-
ing indignation meetings in order to pro-
test against this anti-German press cam
paign, the secret ends of which are only
too easily diseerned. But after Germany
having removed the cause of irritation to
Americans by withdrawing her ships from
the Philippines, and after the solemn as
suranees given by both Baron Won BuelOw
and Dr. Won Holleben, it ought to be hoped
that at least the serious part of the Ameri
can journalists will recognize the great re-
sponsibility upon them by giving publicity
to canards calculated to bring about a rup
ture of the good relations between the two
countries"