The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-01

the rumors OF purpose on is part,
directly or indirectly. TO embarrass the
United States in the Philippine islands.
and has given a signal manifestation OF
Its desire TO promote the most cordial re-
lations between Germany and the United
States by ordering the withdrawal OF all
vessels OF its navy from Philippine
waters and placing the lives and prop
erty OF its subjects there under the pro-
lection of the United States govern
ment
The action taken is regarded here as
stroke in diplomacy by which will be re-
moved all possibility Of a clash between
German and American interests in and
about Manila, and notice 10 all the world,
and especially to any Americans who en-
tertained any suspicious OF sinister de-
signs by Germany. of the wish and pur-
pose OF the German empire to cultivate
the friendship OF the United States. BY
Il Germany at once places the protection
OF all her large interests in the islands
almost completely in our hands.
The announcement OF this act by the
German government came at the close
of a day that had been full of sensa-
tional rumors Of clash between the
Americans and Germans in Manila, the
rumors finally going so far as to assert
that Admiral Dewey had fired on and
sunk a German vessel at Manila. These
rumors spread, despite the fact that the
cable connecting Manila with the outer
world Is in the control OF the United
States government, so that IL might be
reasonably expected that the govern
ment would receive the first news OF any
disaster or collision at Manila. and that
do, arfr af1ta n
navy department positive denials were
made OF the receipt OF any news tending
even in the slightest degree to confirm
the rumors. Even some Of the more
cautious naval officers were infected with
fear for the moment.
These lingering fears in naval circles
were set at rest finally at the close of
the day by the receipt of some dis
patches from Manila, but without men,
tion OF any untoward incident. Based
on this fact Secretary Long, Secretary
Alger Captain Crownnshield and Cen
eral Corbin all took the responsibility Of
denying the rumors in the strongest
terms
Finally. after the official close Of the
departments, announcement was made
for the reason Of the great confidence the
officials had OF the falsity Of the rumors,
the statement being authorized that by
one bold stroke Germany had removed
all possibility of any clash between hot
heads at Manila. 1t was announced that
the German government had ordered it's
ships away from Manila. probably to the
new naval station at Kiao-Chau. on the
Chinese coast. The announcement was
coupled with the statement that the Ger
man vessels were needed there. This
may be the case for the story has come
to Washington that the Chinese have
been abusing some German citizens al
most in the shadow of the Chinese capi-
tai at Tien-Tsin. The Germans have
come to believe that the only way 10
meet such cases is by punitive measures.
The German government followed its
announcement to the state department
of a purnese TO order it's vessels away
from the Philippines with formal ap-
pllcation to the United States govern
ment to undertake the protection Of all
the Germans i'm the Philippines, not only
in person. but also in property.
The president very promptly accepted
the trust, and there will be no German
ships at either Manila or Iloilo TO dis
turb the relations between the two coun-
tries, by forming the basis of sensational
and false rumors. 1t is not known1,ere
at this moment just what German ships
are actually in Philippine waters.
If Berlin accounts are accurate the
Kaiserin Augusta is the only representa-
tive Of the German navy at Manila.
1t is possible that by assuming this
responsibility the United States govern
ment has accepted liability for any
damages that may be sustained by the
German residents and interests at Ma.
Mia, but Il is probable that the applica-
ton must have been granted and re-
sponsiblity assumed anyhow, as 1T is
believed that Admiral Dewey and Cen
eral Otis has assured the German COM
mander OF the Augusta OF their ability
10 protect every interest in Manila, as
a reason why German forces and ma
rines should not be landed. II is the
Official opinion that whatever the re-
sponsihility for damages it will not be
too large for the benefit which will ac-
crue. There is no doubt that the in
furgents cherished the idea that the
Germans were favorable To their cause
ind this led 20 the hope that they might
actively intervene.
Then. too this frank action on the
part OF the German government is cal
oulated TO relieve the tension that was
beginning to manifest itself in un~
guarded utteranccs in the press of both
countries. All Of this Il Is believed.
may be expected 10 disappear now.
II appears that the move originated in
Berlin without suggestion from the Ger
man authorities here. In some diplo-
matte quarters II was thought that Great
Britain might not entirely appreciate
this move. hy which German warships
are sent 10 China. which is the great field
OF action between the powers OF Europe
having possessions IA the far East.
"