The sun., 1899-04-26
CAPT. COGHLAN EXPLAINS.
DID NOT MEAN TO REFLECT ON THE
GERMAN EMPEROR, HE SAYS.

The Matter Discussed Mt tho Cabinet Meet
ing-The President to Decide what Ace
tion to Take-Capt. CoEhlan's Explana-
tion-Germnny Not to Press the Matter.
WASHINGTON. April 25.-I accordance with
his Gus tom OF keeping the members OF his
Cabinet informed on every public question. the
Pres dent brought up at the Cabinet meeting
to-day the subject OF Capt. CoRhan's recent re-
marks about German interference at Manila.
Secretary Long had brought to the meeting
letter received this morning from Capt Cogh-
Ian in answer TO the Navy DEPARTMENTS in
auiry as to whether the Raleigh's com nander
was correctly quoted in the newspaper ac-
counts of his speech at the Union League din
ner in New York on Friday night. The state
ment made by Capt. Coghlan Is regarded as
very able and STRAIGHTFORWARD defence. and IL
unquestionably has softened much OF the off,
cial criticism OF his reported language No
determ nstion as to the course to be pursued
In regard to the incident was reached and the
matter was left In the hands Of President Nc
Kinley. who said he wanted a day or two to
think IL over.
While the letter Of Capt. CoRhan is withheld
from publication. 1t is known that be took a
position in his own defence similar to that as
sumed by the Secretary of State in his answer
to the German Ambassadors com plant on the
subject Of the alleged insult to Germany in the
remarks OF Capt. Coghlan. This position Is in
effect that the Objectionable statements we're
made at private gathering Of gentlemen at a
private club and that they were not intended
10 have any public or official Significance what
ever. Capt. CoRhlan maintains that he did not
Emperor @ William m and md eSpressed regret at the he
attitude in which he had been placed by news
paper publications. which. he ia understood to
n lot ArfA mi a aI..
nation With Which the united statss ssey are on n
a desire to appear personally before the Score
tng tHry 81 the Navy and make fuller eSpana
he did not make, any speech at the Union
League dinner. He went there with the, un-
to make speech. and the remarks attrib
uted to him In the newspaper accounts
and not s
course OF an address, He lays stress in
the letter on the assertion that he had no in
Dewey. was ready for any emergency and was
cordially supported by every offcer and man Of
The discussion in the Cabinet dealt with
sona ineid.Dt out Of n. 1attsr a Thers WA,
apparently una vnanimo3s: sentiment that the the
csrnsd @ % only Sh the Navy Dspartmsnt d and CAPT. apt
CoRhan and was not between Germany and
the United States. No hesitation was shown
by the oabinst officers in expressing the opin.
and should have shovn better. Judgment in
his remarks. but his letter evidently had an
effect in chan ginR tho first decision OF the Ad-
ministratlon that he should be rather severely
dealt with.
It Is supposed that the President postponed
action In the natter in order that q copy Of the
letter might be furnished to the German En-
bassy with view to securing some expression
Of opinion as to the nature OF Cant. Coghlan n 8
alleged offence. and perhaps the withdrawal OF
the protest.
The German Government, according to
what ia said at its Embassy here. 10 not dis
posed to press the. matter and will be salts
He'd with any action the Navy Department may
take. Tho Embassy gives the i'm preston that
the German Government regards the incident
as closed automatically.
II 10 tho i'm preston tnat Capt. Coghlan will
receive some punishment either in tho form
Of q public reprlmand or in being detached
from the command OF the Raleigh. but the
chances Of a eourt-m martial are regarded as
going to Philadelphia on Friday and will visit
the Raleigh while there, and it is generally pn-
derstood that he will ,determine what action
shall be taken before leaving Washington.