The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-16
FIRM NEUTRALITY.
Germany viii Not
Take Lead Against
England.
HARRISON IN BERLIN.
Shown Great Courtesy By
Kaiser Wilhelm and
Others.
Copyright, 1899, The Associated Press)

Copyright, 1899, The Associated Press.)
Berlin, Oct. 15.--A high German Off
cial, whose utterances may be taken as
absolutely conclusive, said to a repres-
entative of the Associated Press today:
1--WE shall observe the strictest neu-
trality, no matter what may develop in
the war between the Boer Republics
and Great Britain. That is the only
course left open, as conditions in South
Africa are so complicated. and our re-
lations with both sides are so delicate,
that to abandon neutrality by so much
as a hairs breadth would necessarily
lead to new and unforeseen complica-
tions.
I'VE mean to adhere to neutrality
toward both parties. What else can
We do? Other powers spoken Of as
likely to interfere have also concluded
to keep quiet. Such rumors as now and
again reach the press-for instance,
that report about the alleged attempts
on the part of the Russian foreign min
lister, Court Muravieff, to bring about
concerted Intervention are unfortu
nately only rumors. I say unfortu-
nately.' The word shows how our sym
pathies lie; politics in these days must
be strictly separated from interests on
one side and sympathies on the other
1t is true our entire press calls upon
the government to interpose between
the brave little republic and big, pow
erful England and that again a crus-
ade against England is being preached
to the nations of the continent But
we would be fools to listen to this siren
song. On that occasion, when we blew
the alarm horn-I refer to Emperor
Williams telegram to President Kru-
ger in 1S96-and tried to assemble the
powers with a view Of opposing Great
Britainsin her selfish and rude aggres-
siveness, we had bad experience. The
lesson was not lost upon u.s.
"Of course all the other powers would
like ii only too well if Germany would
oppose England seriously in this mat
terS, but we, doubtless, would again be
left to our unaided selves. Therefore, |
we are going to avoid intervention and
to remain strictly neutral in the COM
ing struggle. Our intention has beenI
communicated fully to the Transvaal
and to England. England would not
have gone on as she has if she had not |
thoroughly understood this Do not
understand me to mean that Germany |
would not participate in some concert |
ed action looking toward intervention
initiative
This authoritative declaration tallies
with one made by the inspired Ber-
liner Post, in which the policy Of neu-
trality Is likewise advanced. How !
ever, aside from the government press,
every paper and every person high orl
low condemns England. Many alsoI
seriously blame the government for its
inactivity. The Deutsche Tages lei |
tung says:
ut is unnecessary to say that curl
best wishes accompany the Beers, for
they will fight not only in behalf of |
their existence. but in behalf of Ger |
manys position in South Africa, which |
will be lost If the British win. If, |
on the other hand, the Beers win, Great
Britain will lose not only South At
RIGA, but perhaps the whole of her pow
erful position in the world"
The Cologne Gazette says: 1--WE hope
the Beers will not meet with the fate |
of Spain, and lose their own
The Hamburger Correspondent says:
THE other powers must wish to see
England engaged as long as possible in
a fight with the Beers, as that will
leave the way free elsewhere for them
The fact that President Kruger did
not receive birthday congratulations
this year from Emperor William is |
commented upon regfetfully by a num-
Der of papers There are, moreover,
other evidences of sympathy with the
Beers. Subscription lists are being
circulated to raise enough for the equip |
ment of ambulance wagons, as a
Transyaal central committee is form
ing to collect funds for the same pur-
pose.
The papers have many articles re-
garding the Samoan question. reiterat-
ing the statement as to partition. A
leading foreign office official, referring
to the matter, said to the Associated
Press:
"All these statements are mere guess
work and without foundation in fact |
The powers are negotiating with a view
of eliminating the difficulty and there |
10 little likelihood of any further trouble |
between them, as a settlement will |
probably be reached satisfactory to all |
concerned"
On the same authority the Associated |
Press learns that strong wish is felt |
at st. Petersburg that the principal |
representatives of the powers .partici- |
pating in the peace conference at The |
Hague, which are willing to sign the |
agreements reached there, should pro- |
coed to the capital of the Netherlands |
and affix their formal signatures in that
city. Italy and Austria have already |
done so; and Germany will soon join |
stacles United States Ambassador |
White says he is still awaiting instruc-
tons from Washington regarding the
matter
The visit of Gen and Mrs. Benjamin |
Harrison has created an excellent i'm
preston, the newspapers commenting
pleasantly and in tone Of hearty hos
pitality. The Lokal Anzieger says:
General Harrison will take home a |
favorable impression of Germany and
of Emperor William. Let us hope that
he will utilize it for the purpose of i'm |
proving the relations between the two
countries. With his influence and the
esteem in which he is held 1t ought not
to be difficult for him to destroy many
erroneous opinions held by his country
men regarding Germany"
To fellow-guest at the court fete on
Monday in honor of Queen Wilhelmina
OF the Netherlands. General Harrison
said: Emperor William is most agree
able in conversation and surprisingly
weH-informed regarding men and
things in the United States. He spoke at
length and with the greatest interest of
the United States navy and expressed
his admiration Of the patriotism and
far sightedness Of American public
men and of the action Of congress in so
quickly, and at such a sacrifice. Great
ing so powerful and so efficient a navy.
The emperor said that, after a thorough
study of the naval operations durine
the war between the United States and
Spain, he had formed the highest pos
slble opinion of the business-like eff |
cheney of the officers and men of the
American navy, remarking that it was
q splendid feature Of American charac-
ter to fairly worship the national
heroes
Queen Wilhelmina also spoke repeat |
eddy during the fete to Gen. and Mrs.
Harrison. The visit of the Dutch mon
arch has puzzled the entire press. The