The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-04-25


the state Department st noon yesterday
Tor the purpose OF making further rep
rescuJatl0ns TO Secretary Hay touching
the conduct OF Capt. Coghlan, OF the cruis-
er Raleigh, whose speech at the Army
and Navy Club IN New York was no less
offensive 10 the Germans than his previous
uttcrances al the Union League. An ef-
fort was made 10 ascertain whether the
United States government intended 10 do
anything officially. in view Of subsequent
developments in the case.
The German government had before en-
tered an Informal protest against the Ian
ggagc used by Capt. Coghlan at the
Union League Club bsuuuet Secretary
Hay then replied 70 Mr. Won Holleben that
the language appeared TO have been
used NJ a dinner in a CLUB and 20 could
not he regarded az an official or public
utteraHce in the sense that would war
rant the g. re Department in acting.
However. the Navy Department was fully
competent 90 take such action as the case
Seemcd TO require. with this statement
the Ambassador was content for the time,
but Capt Coghlan's subsequent remarks
were also deemed offensive, and Ted 10
the second visit Of the German Ambas-
ssdor 10 the State Department yesterday.
Navy Ia Deal with CoghIan.
Secretary Hay had not changed MS po-
sfJIOn in any degree lie again deprecated
the lack Of tact, and the bad ;aste ehown
by Capt. Coghlan. and he did not hesitate
10 let that be known to the German Am
bassador But he still held ,hat the case
was one that required treatment by
methods OF naval discipline only, and
with which the State Department could
not concern itself
The German Ambassador will communi-
cate the departments view TO the For
eign Office at Berlin.
After the conference. IL was stated in
an authoritative quarter that there was
no reason 20 view the Coghlan affair in too
serious a light, or as presenting grave in
tcrnatioual complications. The meeting, II
was stated, had been mutually agreeable.
The main feature Of the State Depart
ment conference was IN establishing that
Germany expects the United States gov
ernment to deal with the Cognlah affair
according 20 the gravity of the Offense,
and the United States in turn gives as
surance that every just expectation IN
this respect will be performed.
our officials are somewhat surprised at
the importance dIAdtiltu ~ llliS lLlNiutliI
by the German government. 1t is said
that our own government has Ignored
many utterances Of German officials of
sentiments far more inimical TO the
United States than was the tale of Capt.
Coghlan TO Germany. 1t is recalled that
Baron Thielman, the German Minister of
Finance, in addressing the Reichstag last
summer, declared that it was not worth
while to conceal the fact that in the war
between SPAN and the United States the
sympathies Of Germany were with Spain,
the weaker power. This occasion was
not only public in the fullest sense of the
term. but it was also official. Yet the
United States government did not cable
Ambassador White ~ present protest
Not similar to COHehas Case.
1t is said that Capt. Ccghlan's case is
not similar 20 that Of the Spanish Cap
tain. Conchas, whose utterances in Mad
lid Just xafOre tie war in severe criti-
cism Of the United States caused the
State Departnen to lodge a formal pro-
test through United States Minister Han
mis- Taylor Capt. Conchas' utterances
were embodied in a lecture delivered be.
fore the Spanish Geo graphical Society,
and were puUlIc in the fun sense OF the
term. Secretary Hay, in his reply to the
German Ambassador. has undoubtedly
taken note Of the difference between the
cases on this particular point, and it may
be a very important difference for Capt
Coghlan. The State Departments posi-
tion is that 4 club is simply the home OF
a number OF gentlemen, and SO cannot be
considered "a public affair.
Though relieved from accountability tC
the state Department directly by Secre-
JaTy Hays attitude, the Navy Depart
ment, as the Secretary has Indicated
must deal with the case Capt Coghlar
can be called 10 account on seVera
charges. pTesuming that he has been cor.
rectly reported and that he admits thC
utteranCoS. Is in Commodore Meade.
case. II he stands mute and the newsp2.
per men refuse 10 testify, the Navy De
partment can proceed no further Til,
charges which would most probably bt
brought against Capt COghlan III case tn.
affair progresses 10 COurt-martiaI WOulC
he conduct to the prejudice of good orde
and discipline and conduct unbecoming al
officer and a gentleman.
May BE Relieved from Command.
There is every reason 10 believe that tn
Navy Department, upon the recaips o
capt Coghlans explanatory letter, vii
he relieved from the command OF tn
Raleigh. IL the expected letter arrive
this morning, the order of the department
will be sent al once 10 New York. but /
not. nothing further will be done uni
thc Raleigh reaches Philadelphia ii /
said Undt the Navy Department Will TAX
40 notice of Capt. COghlan's action be
youd relieving him from command.
So far no response has been receive,
from CAPT. Coghlan At the Navy Depart
ment. Il is expected that the officer Wi
proceed with deliberation In making an
statement he may care 10 submit 10 n
department. Meanwhile unpleasant sus
gcsjioas are arising as TO the embarra =
ments that may follow the execution O
the round of receptions already planne
1ur the Raleigh
There are semi-oficial intimations tha
the German Ambassador will not SO niue
concern himself with the course of Cap
CosHlau a. with the course OF the Unite
States 10 dealing with Coghlan The Ger
man Amba ssador stated yesterday tha
tEc poem recited by Capt. Coghlan wa
100 nasty 10 be noticed.