The Dickinson press., 1899-03-04
WILL AVOID A CLASH
FEAR OF TROUBLE WITH GERMANY
IN THE PHILIPPINES

Set at Rest Enectunlly All the Vessels
of Her Navy in the Vicinity Ordered to
Leave at Once-Has Confidence In Amer.
lea and Places Lives and Property OF
Her Subjects Under Uncle Sans Fro.
tection-Action Considered Step In
the Direction of Closer Relations.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-The German
government has set at rest effectually
the rumors of purpose on its part, di-
rectly or indirectly, to embarrass the
United States in the Philippine islands
and has given signal manifestation of
its desire to promote the most cordial
relations between Germany and the
United States by ordering the with
drawal of all vessels of its navy from
the Philippine islands and placing the
lives and property of its subjects there
under the protection of the United
States.
The action taken is regarded as mas
ter stroke in diplomacy by which will
be removed all probability of a clash
with German interests in and about
Manila, and notice to the world, espe-
cially any Americans who entertained
any suspicion of sinister designs on the
part of Germany, of the intention of the
German empire to promote friendship.
By its withdrawal Germany places its
affairs in the Philippines
Almost Completely in Our Hands.
The news of the withdrawal of Ger
many came at the close of day that
had been full of sensational rumors of a
clash between Germans and Americans
in Manila, the rumors even going to the
extent of saying that Admiral Dewey
had fred on and sunk German vessel
in Manila bay. These rumors spread
despite the fact that the cable connect
ing Manila with the outer world is in
control of the United States govern
ment and that it might be reasonably
expected that it would be the govern
ment that would receive the first news
of any disaster or collision at Manila,
and at the White House, war depart
ment and navy department positive de-
mails of the rumors were made. Finally,
at the close of the day and after the Of
fetal close of the departments, an
nouncement was made of the reason for
the great confidence the officials had in
the falsity of the rumors, the statement
being authorized that by one bold stroke
Germany had removed all possibility of
Any Clash Between Hotheads
at Manila. It was announced that the
German government had ordered their
ships away from Manila, probably to
their new naval station at Kiao Chau,
on the Chinese coast. The German gov
ernment followed its announcement to
the state department Of purpose to
order its vessels away from the Philip
pines with formal application to the
United States government to undertake
the protection of all the Germans in the
Philippines, not only in person, but in
property. This was regarded as a sig
nal manifestation of confidence and as
practically formal notice that the Ger
mans have no ulterior purpose in the
Philippines and rather than be sub
jected to suspicion on that score has
taken the course of turning over the
care and welfare of their citizens to the
American government The admins
tration promptly accepted the trust and
there will be no German ships at either
Manila or noilo to disturb the relations
of the two countries or form the basis of
sensational and false rumors.