The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-03-15
GERMANY IS FRIENDLY.
All Her Warships Ordered to With
draw From Philippine Waters.
WE GUARD LIVES AND PROPERTY.

German Government Makes a Formal Re-.
quest That tho United States Under
take the Protection of German Sub
jects In tho Phillptines-Proof of That
Country's Friendship For Us.
WASHINGTON, D. C. Especially 1.-The Ger
man Government has effectually set at rest
the rumors Of a purpose directly or indl.
rectly to embarrass the United States in
the Philippine Islands, and Las given a
signal manifestation Of its desire to pro-
mote the most cordial relation with the
United States by ordering the withdrawal
OF al! vessels Of its navy from Philippine
waters, and placing the lives OF its subjects
there under the protection OF the United
States Government.
The action taken Is regarded here as q
stroke In diplomacy by which all possibility
OF O clash between German and American
interests in and about Manila will be re.
moved and notice given to all the world,
and especially to any Americans who have
entertained suspicious Of sinister designs
by Germany, Of the wish and purpose OF
ship Of the United States. BY 1t Germany
at once places the protection OF all her
large interests In the islands almost COM
pletely In American hands.
/. The Germaa Government followed 1t9
announcement to the State Department OF
q purpose to order its vessels away from
the Philippines with formal application
to the United States Government to
undertake the protection OF all the Ger.
In ho
son, but In property. This was regarded as
signal manifestation OF confidence which
the Administration felt could not be resist.
ed, and as practically formal notice that
the Germans have no ulterlor purpose IN
the Philippines, and rather than be SUBJ
jected to suspicion on that score had taken
the course Of turning over the care OF the
welfare OF their citizens to the United States
Government. :
The President promptly accepted the
trust, and there will be no German ships
at either Manila or Iloilo to disturb the
relations between tho two countries by
forming the base OF sensational and false
rumors.
It is possible that by assuming this re.
sponsibility the United States Government
has accepted liability for any damages
that may be sustained by German resi-
dents and interests at Manila, but tits pro-
bable that the application must have been
granted and responsibility assumed In any
case, as it.is believed that Admiral Dewey
and General Otis had assured the com.
mander OF the Kaiserln Augusta OF their
ability to protect every interest in Manila
as q reason why German forces and ma.
rines should not be landed It Is the Of
fetal opinion that, whatever the response
bility for damages, 1t will not be too large
for tho benefit which will accrue.
It appears that the move originated IN
Berlin, without suggestion from the Ger
man officials here, although Ambassador
Won Holleben executed the directions for
warded by cable from Berlin. The dis
patch arrived at the German Embassy
late Monday evening, and the first thing
on Tuesday the Ambassador went to
the State Department and laid the
communication before tho Secretary OF
State. A general conference ensued
on the situation at Manila. MIR. Hay
was not prepared to give an immediate
answer to the request that German per-
sonal and property interests should pass
under the care of the United States MILL
tary and naval forces. After the Am bassa.
doris departure Mr.. Hay conferred with
the President, and as result OF this con-
ference the President announced bis pur-
pose OF assuming the protection OF German
interests,