The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-22
LEAD the WORLD.
German Praises Our Ingenuity in Build
ing War Vessels.
Dswsy' and OIsddch-Ns III Feeling Exists
Over Affairs at Manila.

Washington. May s2.-Captsin Lieu
tenant Won Rebeur- Paechwitz. naval
attache of the German embassy, talked
interestingly yesterday as to his OBJ
servatiors OF the American navy, cover
ing not only the war period, but an i'm
spection OF our ships. navy yards and
naval methods in the period since the
war.
This officer made such al favorable re-
port to the German admiralty concern
Ing the consideration shown him by
American naval circles that IL brought
a strong letter of thanks from the min
lister OF marine of Germany 10 Secretary
Long. and to some extent Offset the ten
sion arising over alleged differences be-
tween the American and German Off
GERS in the Philippines.
Speaking OF the technical construction
OF American ships. Captain Won Rebeur-
Paschwtz said: 1T is quite noticeable
that your American naval constructors
and ship builders show the character
istics energy OF Americans in wishing TO
find something new. While the Amer
lean ships are built on the same gen.
eral lines as the German and English
ships, yet they sfuw tendency te Try
new ideas, experiment on details
"For instance. the disposition OF am
munition and the ammunition hoists
are admirable contrivances. The am
munition is served through one CEN
trail chamber. and is delivered imme-
diatcly back of the gun. readyto be placed
I'm the breach and fired. This Is so
obviously the right thing. and so prac-
tical in the rush and confusion or ac-
tion. that all navies followed the lead
OF your American constructors when
they first adopted this method of getting
the ammunition TO the gun.
"Thre ere many OF these small points
which appeal to the naval observer IL
not to those unfamiliar with naval archi-
lecture. and. altogether. they are de-
veloping and perfecting the ideal fight
ing vessel In the placing Of guns aud
armor the American and German ships
are much alike, except we have never
resorted 10 your device Of double decked
turret. which is probably not beyond the
experimental stage The large coal ca
pacity OF American ships is capital
feature. which will prove specially SER
viceable If you are 10 have outlying ter
rtory such as Hawaii and the Philip
pines"
When the return OF Admiral Dewey
was referred TO, Captain Won Rebeur-
Paschwitz spoke of the enthusiastic re-
ception which was being prepared, and
the devotion felt for him by the Ameri-
can people. Then, referring To alleged
friction in the Philippines. he said:
II have not yet heard from any Ger
man officer "a word OF ill-feeling over
affairs at Manila. While at home re-
Gently met number Of our officers
who We're just out from the Philippines
and who had been stationed on our
ships throughout the war. They spoke
most cordially of the American officers
and OF the fraternizing OF your sailors
and ours There is not the slightest
feeling. can assure you. among German
navafoficers towards their brother Off
GERS on this side. Personally, L lool;
upon Dewey as fine type OF the sailor
gentlemen: quiet, modest, but with
plenty of energy.
"And wish your people could under
stand that We look upon Admiral Won
Diedrich. whom l know personally, in
ulutll tire sa+iit W as hoA aS ~ 's'' y ''''iN
times been represented in this country
but as the quiet sailor, tire fHst man m
the world To give needless offense and
splendid type OF the gentleman aiioat
With two such men. II is unfortunate
that exaggeration has created scmc ill-
feeling. and | know German officers dc
not share H. and VIII bc glad TO see II
disappear. / would like 10 see some OF
our naval training ships come TO Ameri'
can waters, visiting Norfolk and pos
sibly Annapolis, SO that our young sailor
could get an idea of the energy and in
genuity shown all through the Ameri
can navy"