The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-04-27
KAUTZS NDISCRETlON.
Our Admiral in Samoa Writes to
His Cousin,
AND REFERS TO THE GERMANS.

It's Not believed, However. That GER
many WIN Take Counizn 1ce- Captain
Coghlan Has Been Reprtmanded and
kautz VIII Probably Be Cautioned.
Washington, April 27.-The publica-
tion Of Admiral Kautz's letter referring
to his position at Samoa caused abso-
lutte CONSERVATION at the navy and
state departments at first reading. but
there was soon exhibited disposition
to minimize the affair. because It was
clearly apparent that the letter was
nothing more than a strictly private
communication passing between mem
bers of the same family Nevertheless,
coming as IL does close upon Captain
Coghlan's tndiscretion and following
the publication of Judge Chambers
letter to his brother criticizing the
Germans in Samoa, the opinion was
held that Admiral Kautz's letter could
not have other than a harmful effect
upon the relations between the United
States and Germany. The letter was
brought to the attention of the presi-
dent. and some sort Of a reminder may
be sent to the officer to be more care
full in his correspondence.
In official German quarters the let
ter was not treated very seriously. and
there was no indication that the Ger
man authorities would take cognizance
of It. The spirit of fun in the letter
appealed to some of the diplomatic
officials, who laughed heartily over
kautz's description of the young kings
makeup, and this amusing feature
largely offset any irritation which
might have been felt over the criti-
cisms contained in the letter. The
impression prevailed, however, that
the navy department probably would
deal with the indiscretion in such a
way as it deserved.
Admiral Kautz's letter was written
to his cousin, Mrs. Charles n. Lindley,
OF Cincinnati, whose husband is a colo
mel on the staff Of Governor Bradley.
of Kentucky. It is in substance as fol-
lows:
you will probably read a lot of
stuff about me in various newspapers,
but can assure you that 1 am all right
and have done nothing that I or my
friends may be ashamed Of. unless it
is the making of king, which 1 was
obliged to do today. But he is a very
tnofensive young fellow, a native, 10
years of age. He wears a French ad-
miraPs cooked hat, but no shoes or
stockings or trousers. Still, consider
ing the torrid weather, he looks very
we'll In this climate But I hardly
think he would look well on Fourth
street, Cincinnati. I am not a king
here, but just plain boss of the ranch. =
The German consul had that position
up to my arrival, but since then he
has been very silent partner 1 am
very much afraid he does not like me
in fact, am not at all popular here
with the Germans. But I am all right
with the English, and hope to pull
through with them. Love TO the Ken
tueky colonel and yourself
"P. 81 was in error about the
shoes and trousers of his royal high
ness. At the last meeting his advisers
prevailed on him to put on both, just
for this occasion only"
The case of Captain Coghlan may be
considered as finally closed. The Ger
man ambassador, DIR. Won Holleben,
called at the White House yesterday
afternoon and had a conference on the
subject with the president of such a
satisfactory nature that the matter
was regarded as settled. The presi-
dent explained the course the navy
department had taken in administering
a reprimand to Captain Coghlan. It
was also pointed out that the officers
explanation of the incident stated that
his utterances had been exaggerated.
On the part of the ambassador there
was every disposition to deal as light
ly with the matter as possible, and
not to permit it to become a source
of friction.
Captain Coghlan's reprimand was in
the form of a letter from Secretary
Long to the officer. The letter will not
be made public before the officer has
received it, and probably not then.