New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-15

set been discredited as weak inventions of the
American undergraduates. and the indis-
nant denials that these reports have called forth
in Berlin regarded at the DUAL dOrsay as
sincere and based upon absolute truth
IT Is an open secret that the relations between
France and Germany are at present on more
friendly footing than at any other time since
1871. II ia known that Emperor william is ex-
tremely DESTROYS OF removing the tension which
has existed since the Treaty OF Frankfort and
the KaiserS conversation with the Marquis de
Noailles during q visit Of an hours duration at
the French Embassy in Berlin was distinct adj
vance in this direction
But what cannot fail to interest Americans is
the remark made by Emperor William, which
reaches The Tribune correspondent from an un-
Improbable source. The parsonage with whom
the Emperor was talking was unable to retain
his surprise at the Emperors indifference TO
Englands attitude at Fashoda and his apparent
apathy to events in Europe. The Emperor.
noticing this said: ooh, care very little about
what Is going on in Africa: even in Europe mat
ters are thrown completely in the background
by events In the Far East am convinced that
il Is there that German commercial prosperity Is
TO be developed. My heart is set upon this IT
was for this reason that | secured the ninety
nineT years lease OF Kiao- Chau. What is now
going on in the Philippines and elsewhere In the
Far East / consider to be of the utmost Inn
portance to Germany"
II Is owing to these views of Emperor william
that In diplomatic circles here the Idea gains
ground that some means will be found at Madrid
for cedng the Carones to Germany. and that
still greater surprises in connection with the
Emperor Williams ambitious Asiatic policy VIII
soon be divulged. Meanwhile letter has been
received in Paris from the Marquis de Comias,
president Of the Spanish Trasatlantca Com
pany. and the largest individual creditor OF
Spain, stating that owing TO the enormous
amount Of Spanish capital invested in landed
property in the Philippines the United States
may be absolutely sure that no opposition VIII
be offered by Spain to establishing American
authority throughout the archipelago as speedily
as possible because this is felt to be their only
salvation In official and financial circles in
Paris the opinion is unanimous that it would
now be absolutely unworthy Of the United
States to shirk its responsibility toward the
civilized world by abandoning the Philippines to
anarchy, and that all the Powers, including Ger
many, will hold aloof unless the United States
utterly fails to provide security for the lives and
property Of foreigners established in the archi-
| pelago. thereby allowing the Philippines to be-
come an Asiatic Cuba. In this case it is firmly
believed here that Germany would interfere at
Manila for the same reasons that the United
States interviewed at Havana.
France has regained her good humor again
and is able to indulge in laughter and ner-
riment at NJ. Quesnay de Beaurepaire's gro
tesque failure to substantate his accusations
that the Court of Cessation pursuing its
Investigations with a bias in favor of Dreyfus
That the fate Of France should hang upon the
question whether Picquart alone drank hot grog
or whether other witnesses enjoyed the same
privilege is regarded as reducto ad apsur-
dunn of NJ. Beaurepaire's charges, and the vote
Of the Chamber has cleared the atmosphere and
strengthened not only the Government, but also
the Court Of Cessation. This together with the
favorable manner in which NJ. Paul Cambon and
Lord Salisbury have begun negotiations In Lon
don which it is felt here must remove all danger
Of conflict, causes greater confidence and firm
ness in French securities than have existed Tor
the last ten months. Meanwhile Colonel Pic
quart is passing his time In the Cherche- Midi as
a prisoner reading Carlyle's French Revolu-
ton"
The American colony put in good appear
ance this evening at the fifth annual dinner of
the American Chamber of Commerce. A
resolution was passed expressing the urgent
wishes of the Chamber that the two years limit
specified by the Dingley law for making reel
procity treaty with France under the provisions
Of that law, which limit will expire next July
unless extended by Congress- will not be allowed
to lapse without a treaty being made The
Chamber Of Commerce elected its president,
Henry Peartree for the ensuing year, and APP
propriate speeches made by Admiral
Beardslee. IT, S. ~. Henry Peartree. William
Selgman and others. The American business
men present were most anxious for a reciprocity
treaty especially the French commercial
community has now met them halfway by kill
ing the proposed bill for putting prohibitory
tariff on American cottonseed oil.
Five new plays were brought out during the
week In Paris theatres. lie ROi de Rome.
AN historical drama presenting a son of the EN-
peror Napoleon. Prince Metternich and Marshal
Marmont. and cleverly written by Pouvon
and d'Artois. But with the exception Of De
Max, who plays the Duo de Reichstadt, 1t is
badly acted AZ historical pageant 1t Is
worth seeing. and is well mounted at the Nou-
veau Theatre la Mioche" new work
brought out at the Anlbigu. written by Jules
Mark who is capable of far better things.
tains some thrilling Incidents Of the Franco
Prussian War, and winds up with original
episodes IN Corsica. But neither Of these plays
IS likely 10 last long. The success o. the week
was La Poule Blanche" an operetta in four
acts. by Hennequn and Mars. the music by
Victor Roger. which was produced last night
at the Theatre de Cluny. 1t may be described
as a Palais Royal farce set to music. The scene
IS laid in Corsica AMI the plot turns upon
white hen stolen two centuries ago but which
IS the cause Of a Corsican vendetta. The third
act is full OF quid pros quos so happily conceived
as TO make 1t one OF the most grotesquely funny
bits OF acting 10 be seen Just now In Paris The
music Is pleasing. catching and original quite
equal to anything Roger has yet composed. The
Nouveau Cirque brought out last night grand
spectacular nautical pantomime. called La Cas-