New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-25
CAPTAIN COGBLAy'S SPEECH.

Indiscretion seems TO be contagious. captain
Coehlan Of the Raleigh was far from here' per-
haps In midseas, when some OF the most no'e-
worthy Of recent "blurtings out look piace'
We do not know that he even heard OF them'
Yet no sooner Is he ashore than he In ike man
her lets his loquacity get the better OF MS
Judgment. At the Union League Club last
week. at the end Of penteous dinner ana un-
der the inspiration which good dining ana sup
posedly confidential company promote he said
some things concerning the German Govern
ment and its head which caused the latter 10
feel apgrieved, and which, it may as well DE-
frankly said aroused feeling of profound re-
rret among judicious Americans. The truth OF
uutruth of what he said Is not under dispute
The old straw Of our alleged friction with Ger
many at Manila nearly year ago Is not 10 DE
rethrashed His offence was In saying things
which. II untrue, were scandalOus. and If true
,rere either 10 be overlooked or dealt with by
other agencies and In other ways. and which
In anv case were not fttingly TO he discussed
In public. or semi-publlc, by subordinate Off
Ger of the naval service.
No harm will be done. we may confidently
assume. unless 10 the rash taker himself. The
German Government felt aggrieved, and said
pcrfectly conclusive answer ready fully ex-
cu,patInp II from blame, and, we doubt not
sufficiently soothing to the ruftied susceptioill-
,,cs of tho German Government and its head
The latter realizes, Of course, that the after
dinner club talk Of naval captain. whose
nerves are still a-thrill with hard work ana
dangers and great achievements ana WIN 'he
enthusiasm OF home coming and It's attendant
l,A
terances of this Government or of this Ma
ton. Captain Coghlan is not diplomatic
officer I'm either sense. His work Is to hght
for the country, not to talk for IL or 10 repre-
sent il in council For what he has said he
Is accountable TO the Navy Department Inc
State Department. through which our foreign
relations are maintained is not chargeap'e
with his indiscretlons in speech any more IMAM
Il was to be credited with his achievements i'll
battle. No Government in the world realizes
that more clearly than the German. ana we
have no doubt Il will feel that complete amehus
have been made in Secretary Hays disclaimer
and that the friendly relations between inc
two nations will continue. undisturDed by inc
postpraudial outburst
II would be easy to draw morals from inc
incident were they not already sufficlently Cd
yious. The fault of Captain Coghlan Is not an
uncommon one In this or In other countries.
Now and then n good man dims the lustre OF
meritorlous deeds or impairs his usefulness 10
a good cause by indscreet expressions some
times a BLACKBOARD runs amuck with his tongue
And between the two extremes there are IN
Vulnerable men who are too much given TO CEN
seriousness and 10 garrulity without stopping
IN consider the consequences OF their words
We have spoken of an apparent epidemic OF
indiscretlons. 1t would be easy to recall within
the last year many cases. some OF them more
fragrant than Captain Coghlans, on Doth sides
Of the Atlantic 1t would serve no useful pur-
nose TO do So But the regret Americans feel
at this unfortunate performance OF gallant
officer whom they otherwise delight to honor
will not be in vain If it shall have restrain
ing tendency upon more than one tongue ana
pen There is time to speak and time to
keep silent And the power TO distinguish be-
tween them Is valuable gift which no one
can possess in too high degree.