The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-12
OH SO FRIENDLY.
German Officer Tells of Dewey
and Dicterich's Exchange
of Dainties.

NEW YORK, Jan. II, 1S99-Major Al-
phonse Won Sonnenburg, the German mills
tary expert, who was at Manila during
the blockade by the United States Navy
after the battle of Cavite, and who is now
in this city, speaking today about Rear
admiral Dewey, said:-
"There We're never any honest dificui-
ties between Dewey and the German Ad-
miral, Won Diederich; there was only a
theoretical difference about the interpre-
tation of one word in the expression
dreit de visite-the right of search. What
was the meaning of visite, for the forms
of search were different towards differ
ent kinds of vessels, towards merchants
men and ships of war. But after the
friendliest exchange of letters by the two
admirals. an understanding was at once
reached. To show you the spirit that was
in it all, will tell you that the American
squadron once received supplies of fro-
zen mutton, and your Admiral sent Ad-
miral Won Diederich a present of half a
sheep. The other returned the compI-
ment by sending Dewey a living calf, pro-
cured somewhere in the islands. You see
how stupid it is to think they wanted to
begin shooting at each other.
."The English Major Won Sonnenburg
continued, ''were at the bottom of this
story of misunderstanding. All that the
English in Manila could do to create sus-
picion and trouble between the two coun-
tries they did do. They sent false stories
to Hong Kong, which from there were
telegraphed over the whole world
Here is another example of the broad
mindedness of Admiral Dewey. When the
consuls OF various neutral countries be-
came frightened for fear Manila would
be bombarded, the German consul went to
Dewey at Cavite and asked if he had any
objections to this proceeding: To charter
ing Spanish steamers then lying in the
River Pasig, placing on board the neutral
refugees and anchoring those vessels IN
between the neutral warships. Dewey
answered. We'll, why not? do not make
war against women and children Even
the Spanish non-com batants were granted
this privilege. The only condition made
was that those steamers which, being IN
a biockaded port, belonged by right to
the government of the United States.
should return to Dewey's hands after he
surrender, of Manila. Furthermore, he
granted that in case of a typhoon all
these steamers of refugees might come
over and anchor with the American fleet
at CaVite.'
Asked if German military men generally
who had seen the run of events at Ma
Mia hold the same opinion of Dewey.
Major Won Sonnenburg replied that they
did.
The question was ed:-"What are
going to be the future relations OF Ger
many and the United States in regard 20
poss sessions in the Eastern Archipelago?
Major Won Sonnenburg replied d:-"German
and American interests throughout the
whole world run along parallel lines, and
parallel lines, you know, never meet. 1
do not see how any i'll feeling can arise
between the two great peoples"
Questioned about the attitude OF tnd
ative F'ilipinos toward the United States,
Major Won Sonnenburg was emphatic.
THE Filipinos will fight he said, ''un-
lass crixr hon W L
believe they will ont lay down their arms
until they get self government"