The record-union., 1899-04-26
THE COUGRLAN INCIDENT.
IS LOSING IMPORTANCE AS THE
DAYS PASS.
The Ra1eigh's- Commander Dis
claims Any Intention of Insult
ing the Emperor.

WASHINGTON, April 25.-It is the
impression to-day that the case of Cap
tain Coughlan is losing Importance as
tine days pass, and his action is viewed
in more considerate light. high
official, whose advice would have much
to do with shaping the fate of Captain
Coughlan, said that in his opinion the
needs of the case would be completely
met by a sharp letter of reprimand ad
dressed by the Navy Department to
him, if the Captain admitted he was
correctly reported
The German ambassador has not
communicated with the State Depart
ment on this subject since yesterday,
and it is believed that the German Gov
ernment is now content to await the
action of the Navy Department, with
out further pressing the matter. The
view was expressed at the German En-
bassy to-day that the Coughlan affair
was practically ended, and that with
the administering of al reprimand by the
Navy Department, the incident would
be closed.
At the Cabinet meeting to-day the re-
cent utterances of Captain Coughlan of
the cruiser Raleigh We're informally dis
cussed Secretary Long said he had
received a letter on the subject from
Captain Coughlan The Captain dis
claimed any intention of insulting the
German Emperor or Admiral Won Died
richs, and his remarks on the occasion
of the Union League Club banquet were
made in the most informal manner in
the company of friends, without any
thought that they would be repeated in
the public press He said they were
exaggerated and distorted in the pub
lished reports He claims that under
the circumstances his remarks should
be regarded as privileged.
After the Cabinet meeting adjourned
Secretary Long and Secretary Hay re-
manned a short time with the President
to further discuss the matter. 1t is
understood that the Captain will soon
retire from the service through the reg
ular channel, and it is thought that I'M
view of this fact, and the further fact
that he rendered distinguished service
at the naval engagement at Manila, the
naval authorities will show him as much
considera ton as is consistent with naval
discipline.
According to arrangements made
some days ago for the Presidents visit
to Philadelphia. he will go aboard the
Raleigh next Friday morning as a spec
ial compliment to Captain Coughlan.
Whether under the circumstances this
part of the program will be changed
cannot now be stated.
A Cabinet officer said this afternoon
that the Cabinet has at no time dis
cussed the subject of the future dis
position of the Philippines "It is the
present that we are thinking he said,
land there is not the slightest inten-
ton of deviating from the present pro-
gram. l believe that it is the feeling
of the Cabinet that nothing shall be
decided as to the future status of the
islands until we have placed them sat
isfactorily under the control of the
United States"
He said that every dollar and every
man necessary to bring the islands
under the dominion of this country
would be used When the insurgents
have recognized the power of the Unit
ed States, the question of their future
status will be taken up and discussed.