Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-03-02

All German Vessels IN Philippine
Waters Sent to China and the Lives
and Property of German Subjects
Put Under United states Protection.
Washington. March 1.-The German
government has set at rest effectually
the rumors of a purpose ON its part, di-
rectly or indirectly, to embarrass the
United States in the Philippine Islands,
and has given 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 removed all possibility of clash be-
tween German and American interests lii
and about Manila and notice to all the
world, and especially any Americans
who entertained any suspicious Of sinister
designs by Germany, of the wish and
purpose of the German empire to cut
tivate the friendship of the United
States. BY it 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 fun of sensa-
tional rumors of a clash between the
Americans and Germans in Manila, the
rumors finally going so far as to as
sert that Admiral Dewey had fred on
and sunk German vessel at Manila.
These rumors spread despite the fact
that the cable connecting Manila with
the outer world is i'll the control of the
United States government, so that it
might be reasonably expected that the
government would receive the first news
of any disaster or collision at Manila.
Even some of the more cautious naval
officers were infected with fear for the
moment, for while they had not the
slightest idea that there had been any
trouble between the American and Ger
man ships, still they realized that there
was always the possibility of an acct
dent aboard ship that might result dis
astrously
announced that the German govern
ment had ordered their ships away from
Manila, probably to their new naval sta
ton at Kiachau, on the Chinese coast
The announcement was coupled with the
statement that the German 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 almost in the shadow
Of the Chinese capitol at Tien Tsin. The
Germans have come to believe that the
only way to meet such cases is by punl-
tive measures, and as Tien Tsin is at the
head OF the navigation on the Pieho
river, just below Picking, it may be the
purpose TO send some warships up the
river to convey an idea Of the German
displeasure.
1t is possible that by assuming respon
sibility for the care of Germans in the
Philippines the United States govern
ment has accepted liability for any dam
ages that may be sustained by the Ger
man residents and interests at Manila.
but it is possible that the application
must have been granted and responsible
ity assumed anyhow, as it is believed
that Admiral Dewey and General Otis
had assured the German commander of
the Augusta of their ability to protect
every interest in Manila as a reason why
German forces and marines should not
be landed. 1t is official opinion thai
whatever the responsibility for dam
ages it will not be too large for the
benefit which will accrue. Then, too,
this frank action on the part of the
German government is calculated to re-
lieye the tension that was beginning to
manifest itself.