The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-01
And Places the Lives and Property of
Her Subjects Under the Protection
of the United states.
GOOD DIPLOMATIC STROKE
THAT REMOVES ALL POSSIBILITY OF
A CLASH WITH HOTHEADS.
Also Proves the Kaiser Wants Uncle
Sam's Friendship-Von Buelow's
Statemcnt-ChinaN Now in Danger,

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2s-The German
government has set at rest effectually the
rumors of a purpose on its part directly
or indirectly, to embarrass the United
States in the Philippine islands and has
given a signal manifestation Of its desire
to promote the most cordial relations be-
tween Germany and the United States by
ordering the withdrawal of all vessels of it's
navy from Philippine waters and placing
the lives and property of it's subjects there
under the protection of the United States
government. The action taken is regarded
here as a master stroke in diplomacy by
which will be removed all possibility of
clash between German and American inter-
ests in and about Manila and notice to all
the world. and especially to any Americans
who entertained any suspicious of sinister
designs by Germany. of the wishes and
purpose OF the German empire to cultivate
Germany at once places the protection of
all her large interests in the islands al
most completely in cur hands.
The announcement of this act of the Ger
man government came at the close of day
that had been full of sensational rumors of
a clash between the Americans and Ger
mans in Manila, the ramors finally going
so far as to assert that Admiral Dewey
had fired on and sunk German vessel at
Manila. 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 it might
be reasonably expected that the governing INT
would be the first TO receive news of any
disaster or collision at Manila, and that at
the White House. War Department and
Navy Department positive denials were
made of the receipt OF any news tending
even in the slightest degree to confirm the
rumOrs. Even some of the more cautious
naval officers were infected with fear for
the moment, for while they had not the
slightest idea that there had been any
trouble between the American and German
ships. still they realized that there was
always the possibility Of an accident aboard
ship that might result disastrously.
FEARS SET AT REST.
| These lingering fears in naval circles were
set at rest finally at the close of the day
by the receipt of some dispatches from
Manila but without mention of any ur-
toward incident. Based on this fact, Secre-
tary Long, Secretary Alger, Captain Crown
inshield and General Corbin all took the re-
sponsibility of denying the rumors in the
strongest terms. Finally at the close of the
| day and after the official close of the de-
partments announcement was made of the
reason for the great confidence the officials
had in the falsity of the rumors the state
nent being authorized that by one bold
-roke Germany had removed all possibility
| of any clash between hotheads at Manila.
| 1t announced that the German govern
ment had ordered their ships away from
Manila probably to their new naval sta
| ton at Kiao-Chau. 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 Ger
| man citizens almost IN the shadow of the
| Chinese capital at Tien-Tsin. The Germans
have come to believe that the only way 10
meet such cases is by punitive measures
and as Tien-Tsin is at the head of naviga-
tion on the Pei-Ho river. just below Peking
| ii may be the purpose to send some wal
ships up the river TO convey an idea of the
German displeasure.
The German government followed its an.
noLncement 10 the State Department of q
| purpose to order it's vessels away from tho
/ Philippines with formal application to the
| United States government To undertake tht
| protection of all the Germans i'm the Philip
| pines. not only i'm person but in property
| This was regarded as a signal manifesto.
| tion Of confidence that the administration
| felt could not be resisted and as practically
/ formal notice that the Germans have M
] elterior purpose in the Philippines, anC
rather than be bjected TO suspicion OF
that score had taken the course OF turninl
over the care of the welfare OF their citi
zens TO the United States government.
THE TRUST ACCEPTED.
The President very promptly accepted tn,
| trust. and there will be no German ships a
| either Manila Iloilo TO disturb the reia
! tions between the two countries by forming
the base of sensational and false rumors. L
/ is not know here at this moment just wha
| German ships were actually i'm Philippin,
waters. The press reports have mentioned
| the arrival at Manila of the German hagshiI
/ Kaserin Augusta few days ago. and j
i 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 re
| sponsbility the United States government
1 has accepted liability for any damages tina
may be sustained by the German RESIDENT
and intei ests at Manila. but it is probable
that the application must have been grantes