The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-25
Text of SatfricaI Verses, Written by a
Marine at Manila and Recited at the
New York Union Club Banquet.
NO ACTION At WASHINGTON
COGHLAN NOT YET RELIEVED OF
COMMAND OF THE RALEIGH.
Secretary Hay Reported to Have Ex-
Captains After-Dinner Remarks.

WASHINGTON, April 24.-Ine German
government has entered formal protest
against the language used by Captain
Coghlan, OF the Raleigh, at the Union
League Club banquet last Friday night. The
protest was lodged with Secretary Hay
through the German ambassador Herr Won
Holleben. Secretary Hay replied that the
language said to have been used was at
dinner at club and So could not be regarded
as an official or public utterance in the sense
that would warrant the State Department
in acting. However, the Navy Department
was fully competent to take such action as
the case seemed TO require. With this state
ment the ambassador was content for the
time at least and will doubtless await a
reasonable length of time upon the Navy
Department. There are semi-official intima-
tions that the ambassador will not so much
concern himself with the course of Captain
Coghlan as with the course of the United
States in dealing with Coghlan. The Ger
man ambassador stated to-day that the
poem recited by Captain Coghlan was 'too
nasty to be noticed
The poem referred to was written by
Captain Jack Myers. of the marine guard
of the U. S. S. Charleston, at Manila. A
dispatch from New York says that early
Union League Club. inspired by the report
to them by Captain Coghlan of Admiral
Dewey's famous message to Admiral Won
Diederichs demanded that Captain Coghlan
sing 'Hoch der Kaiser, the song so popular
with our fleet in the Philippines. Me sing
cried the captain, laughing. why. never
sang note in my life Give us the
words, then,' demanded the Union Leaguers.
Y r n1 ha
Raleigh's captain, so here goes " The song
as recited follows:
Der Kaiser fon das vaterland,
Und Gott und 1 all dings commando;
We two ach. don't you understand?
MEINSELF-und Gott.
''Vile some men sing der bower divine.
Mein soldiers sing Die Wacht am Rhein.'
Und drink der health in Rhenish wine
OF ME-und GOtt
There's France, she svaggers all around;
To much, we dinks she don't amound-
MEINSELF-und Gott.
"She will not dare To fight again.
But If sne should I'll show her blain
Dat Elsass (und in FRENCH Lorraine
Are MEIN-by Gott.
'Dere's Grandma, dinks she's NIGHT schmall
bier.
NTH Nit Beers und @ such she in interiors; srme3,oro
But ME-und Gott.
"Siie dinks good frau. some ships she's got,
Ind soldiers nit der scarlet goat
Achl We could knock em-poof-like dot
MEINSELF-mit God.
''In dimes of peace brebare for wars
I bear her helm and shpear of Mars.
Und care not for den dousand Cars
MEINSELF-und Gott
''In fact. I humor every vhim.
Nit aspect dark und visage grim
Gott pulls nit MEs-und I init Him
MEINSELF-und Gott."
1t is said that Captain Coghlan's case Is
not similar TO that of the Spanish Captain
Conchas. whose utterances in Madrid just
before the war in severe criticism OF the
United States, caused the State Department
to lodge a formal protest through United
States Minister Hannis Taylor. Captain
Conchas's utterances were embodied in a
lecture delivered before the Spanish Geo
graphical Society. and were public In the full
sense of the term Secretary Hay, In his
reply to the German ambassador has un-
doubtedly taken note of the difference be-
tween the cases on this particular point and
IT may be a very important difference for
Captain Coghlan. The State Department 8
position is that a club is simply the home of
a number of gentlemen and so cannot be con-
si6ered a public affair. But this view does
not relieve Captain Coghlan from response
bility TO his brother officers for conduct
which is alleged to be detrimental 10 the
navy Though relieved from accountability
10 the State Department directly by Sec
retary Hays attitude, the Navy Depart
ment. as the secretary has indicated must
deal with the case
Captain Coghlan can he called TO account
on several charges. presuminG that he has
been correctly reported and that he admits
his utterances. The charge which would
most probably be brought against him in
case the affair progresses TO a court-martial
would be conduct 10 the prejudice of good
order and discipline. and conduct unbecom-
ing an officer and a gentleman. So far no re-
sponse has been received from Captain
Coghlan at the Navy Department. 1t Is ex-
pected the officer will proceed with deliber-
alton in making any statement he may care
to submit TO the department. Meanwhile
unpleasant suggestions are arising 10 the
embarrassments that may follow the execu-
ton of the round of receptions already
planned for the Raleigh.
The German ambassador appeared at the
State Department at noon to-day for the
purpose of making further representations
TO Secretary Hay touching the conduct of
Captain COghlan so that the utterances of
Captain Coghlan at the Army and Navy
Club. as published in yesterday morning 5
papers, were regarded as an additional Of
fense. An effort was made 10 ascertain
whether the United States government in
tended TO do anything officially in view OF
subsequent developments IN the case. Sec
retary Hay has not changed his position in
any degree. He deprecated the lack of tact.
and the bad taste shown by Captain Coghlan
and did not hesitate To let that be known