The times., 1899-03-31
GENERAL WASHINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.


tion," said leading politician yesterday,
mas apparently lost sight of the fact that
there is very large German vote in the
United States Whether Intentionally or
otherwise, the Administration has been
persistently antagonizing the German ele-
ment In this country. II has made no ef-
tort TO correct or tone down the sensa-
tional reports that have been put into cir
culation regarding alleged friction between
the United States and the Fatherland. /
am speaking strictly from the point OF
view of German American citizen. Ii is
the spirit that has been manifested that is
most objected to by the German residents
of the country. For example. when state
ment was published broadcast few weeks
ago that Germans had been supplying
Aguinaldo with arms and other munitions
of war from Hongkong one of the leading
German daily papers published in New
York sent representative to Secretary
Hay with the request that he either con-
firm or deny the report. What did Secre-
tary Hay do? He simply said that he did
not have time TO deny any report that
might be printed; in other words leaving
1t to be inferred that the Government did
place some credence in the story. An as
sertion of this serious character merited
at least a frank denial by the Government
the German Ambassador called upon Sec
retary Hay and asked for a refutation of
the Hongkong story Mr.. Hay very prompt
iy stated that his department had no evil
dence that IL had any foundation and added
that he did not credit 1t for moment.
But this sentiment was not distributed
very extensively and there are hundreds of
people who have read Colonel Hays refusal
to deny this base slander that have not
tn tha
Ambassador. Colonel Hays course in this
case is in harmony, unfortunately, with the
general policy that has been pursued by
the members of this Administration toward
Germany The details of the trouble at
Samoa are. of course unknown here at the
present time, but it does not please the
average German to read in the papers that
the English and Americans fought side by
side. Is this the beginning OF the much
talked-of Angio-Saxon alliance? II so. how
will the Irish-Americans record it? The
German vote in Wisconsin, Illinois. and
several other States holds the balance of
power. 1t must be patent to anyone who
Will take the trouble to stop and think for
a moment that il the Republicans lose the
bulk of the German vote in the Presiden-
tlal election next year that they cannot
elect the next President unless they make
corresponding gains from other sources
Where will the new recruits come from?
In my Judgment there is more danger to
Mr.. Mckinley and the Republican party
from alternating the German vote than from
anything else that is in sight at the present
time"
Should Mr.. Bryan Go to New York.
A good many friends of Mr.. Bryan are con-
WINGED that he will be making mistake
If he goes to New York on April 10 and
makes a speech at the dinner scheduled
for that date. They think that the fric-
tion that has arisen between certain fac
tions that have been getting up the din
ner renders it advisable for Mr. BRYAN
to keep out of it altogether 1T is not too
late said Democrat last night, for Mr..
Bryan to recall his acceptance of the invi-
tation to dine with the Chicago platform
Democrats in New York He can say truth
fuiiy that he accepted the invitation be-
heving that 1t was to be a perfectly har-
monlous gathering, but, of course he can
not be expected to get mixed up in the
petty quarrels OF local leaders The affair
is badly muddled at present. and is likely
to become more SO later on. Mr.. Brewster
who was made chairman of the dinner
committee, has been expelled by his origi
nal associates He has organized a new
committee. but the members of the original
d.
ings to compel Mr.. Brewster to turn over
the money-about $1,000, believe-that he
mad received before he was fired. II
would be pleasant spectacle would il
not, II deputy sheriff should walk in
and collar Mr.. Brewster Just as he was
on the point of introducing Mr. Bryan,
That New York combination is a tricky
lot. Not one of them is to be trusted in
my Judgment. Mr.. Bryan will do wen to
keep away from the whole outfit"
Iammany to BE LcxOwed Again.
The Assembly of the State of New York
has passed a resolution. after a hot de-
bate, providing for the appointment of
another investigating committee similar
TO the famous Lexow committee. to over
maui the government of the Greater New
York. Under the terms of the resolution
under which the committee will act. ii can
investigate every department within the
Greater New York territory The COM
mlttee Will commence operations right
away and will be empowered. il is under.
Stood TO sit all summer If necessary. 70
complete its investigation. While the in
quest Will naturally be partisan in its
character, it is quite likely that some in
teresting and sensational matter will be
disclosed. The committee will probably
peslh Win the ponce department, the de-
partment that has always promised the
best results to committee wishing to
make stir. New York is said TO be more
wide open" today than at any time in its
history. Gambling houses, pool rooms, and
every kind OF disreputable establishment
have, it is said. been doing a fourishing
business during the past eighteen months. |
all under police protection" The pro |
lection" costs anywhere from $50 TO $500
month according to the volume of busi- |
ness transacted. The investigators pro-
pose TO look into the recent raid by Tam
many Hall against the Manhattan Ele-
waited Railroad Company. Just how much |
good will be accomplished by the investi- !
CATION is problematic. but, with good |
management, the Republican leaders will
probably be able to extract considerable |
political ammunition out of it, which il |
is strongly suspected, is precisely what |
they are after.
Among the bills offered at Albany re-
Gently is one amending New York citys |
charter. cutting down the term of the
mayor from four to two years If this |
should go through 1t would require a mayor
to be elected in New York next fall in
stead of November, 1901. Meantime a SEN
sational exposure of Tammany 'corrup- i
tion" during the summer months would |
naturally pave the way for another reform |
wave in the metropolis next autumn and |
perhaps lead to the election OF reform"
mayor and to closing the political career |
of Richard Croker
Germany and America.
(From the Indianapolis News)
Germany has not vet passed from the shadow |
of mediaevalism. Outside OF Russia her Govern |
nent is the most despotic in the civilized world. |