The times., 1899-04-13
GENERAL WASHINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

I'VE VS. AlND UOSSIf.
The Samoan SituntiOn.-Diplomatic
and political circles were profoundly stir
red yesterday by the latest reports from
Samoa The killing OF American and Eng
lish officers and sailors cannot be passed
over lightly. 1t was pointed out that the
war between France and Germany in 1879
Was started on a much slighter basis. The
latest developments have brought about a
suspension of negotiations looking 10 set
, tiement of the Samoan trouble by a Com
mission consisting of one representative
from all three countries interested in the
| matter, the United States. Great Britain.
| and Germany. The sudden change on the
part of Germany which was disclosed yes
terday, even in advance of the information
OF further fighting at Samoa, was regard
ed as most significant Germany's attitude
| a few days ago was quite conciliatory; she
| expressed desire or willingness to CO.
operate with England and this country to
bring about peaceful and satisfactory
solution of the difficulty. But just when
everything was thought to be running
smoothly the announcement is made that
Germany intends to demand a disavowal of
admiral kautz's proclamation, and this is
followed quickly by the news of a serious
most conservative statesmen the situation
is very grave, and is likely to lead to the
most serious results.
"One thing is certain said an official of
the State Department last evening, "the
United States cannot and will not back
down. We are practically on the eve of a
Presidential election, and you know what
that means. Even if it should be shown
that We were in the wrong in this Samoan
controversy ba oh
mlnistration would not feel justified in
acknowledging it. The matter however.
mas gone too far to be easily adjusted
Blood has been shed and bloodshed begsts
bioodshed, you know. Either Germany or
the United States and England must back
down or there will be war. The question
OF the hour is. which will it be?
4 have already indicated how improb-
able 1t is that the United States will craw-
ilsn. and until we move England is certain
to stand pat. The Germans are stubborn
and are not likely to yield easily. We are
on the eve, in my judgment, of a great
crisis in the worlds history
think that there is much more behind
TINS Samoan affair than has as yet appear
ed upon the surface. Whether the United
Stales mas been made catspaw CT by Eng
land remains to be seen. 1t would look
a little that way to an impartial observer
1t may be that the whole thing had been
prearranged, but why should this country
get into war with Germany over n group
OF Islands that are scarcely worth think
ing about? Has England some secret
motive for provoking a war with Germany
ana used this Samoan business 10 open
the Dali and draw us into it? OF course.
now, we will be compelled to see the thing
through to the'end no matter what the cost
or hazard may be; but at the same time I
cannot help thinking that the recent So
called Anglo-Saxon alliance is proving
rather expensive"
n German OpiniOn.-e'If President
Mckinley should call Congress together
and ask for declaration of war against
Germany tomorrow" said leading Ger
man. American yesterday. "and Congress
should act in accordance with his recon-
mendatlon. you would find nine-tenths of
the American citizens of German ex-
traction ready to fight to defend this
country even against the German father
land. The German Americans are loyal
10 their adopted country: they will fight
Tor 1t right or wrong. if necessary under
any and all circumstances. No one need
have any uneasiness upon that score but
at the same time. we reserve the right
TO think for ourselves, and We certainly
"ouiu endeaFor 10 punish any AdmniStra-
tion al the ballot boy that brought on an
unjust and unnecessary war The Ger
mans In the United States are all loyal
to this country. ! will stake my life ON it.
but We do not believe that the Admins
tration has acted fairly In this Samoan
business
Even If the trouble is finally adjusted
without resort to arms Mr. Mckinley
and the Republican party. you will find.
have succeeded in alternating the German
vote. ! speak as a German American.
have been in this country over forty ye ars.
fought in the Civil War on the Union
side, and l have always acted with the
Republican party up to date. But l can
tell you that Mr.. Mckinley cannot get one
tenth of the German vote if he runs for
President again next year.
But. of course. If war with Germany
or any other country should break out in
the mean time all hands would rally to the
support of the Administration and Mr.
Mckinley would probably be reelected
Unless something of the kind | have indi-
Gated occurs however, Mr.. Mckinley will
stand very little show of being reelected
The Germans hold the balance of power
in Wisconsin, Illinois, and several other
States that the Republicans must carry
if they hope to win in 1900. The situa-
tion is most critical for the Republican
party, and / can see nothing TO indicate |
that it is likely to improve in the near |
future"