The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-01

Washington, Feb. 2S.-I'he German
Government has set at rest effectually
the rumors of purpose on its part, di-
rectly or indirectly to embarass the
United States in the Philippine Islands
and has given signal manifestation Oh
its desire to promote the most cordlal
relations between Germany and the
United States. by ordering the with
drawal of all vessels of its navy from
Philippine waters and placing the
lives and property of its subjects there
under the protection of the United States
Government. The action taken is regard
ed here as stroke in diplomacy by
which will be removed all possibility of
clash between German and Ameri-
can interests in and about Manila and
notice to all the world, and especially
TO any Americans who entertained any
suspicious of~'sinister designs by Ger
many, of the wish and purpose of the
German Empire to cultivate the friend
ship of the United States. by it Ger
many at once places the protection of ali
her large interests in the islands almost
completely in our hands.
The announcement of this act OF the
German Government came at the close
of day that had been full of sensa-
tional rumors of a clash between the
Americans and Germans in Manila, the
rUmors finally going so far as to assert
that Admiral Dewey had fired on and
sunk a German vessel at Manila.
These rumors spread, and 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 German ships, still
they realized that there was always
the possibility of an accident aboard
ship that might result disastrously.
These lingering fears in naval circles
We're set at rest finally at the close of
the day by the receipt of some dis
patches from Manila, but without men
ton of any untoward incident. Based
on this fact Secretary Long. Secre-
tary Alger Captain Crowninshield and
General Corbin all took the RESPONSE
bility of denying the rumors in the
strongest terms.
Finally at the close of the day and
after the official close of the depart
ments, announcement was made of the
reason for the great confidence the of
fcials had in the falsity of the rumors,
the statement being authorized that
by one bold stroke Germany had re-
moved all possibility of any clash be-
tween hot heads at Manila. 1t was an
nounced that the German Government
bad ordered their ships away from Ma
Mia. probably to their new naval station
at kia Chau on the Chinese coast. The
announcement was coupled with the
statement that the German vessels We're
needed there. This may be the case,
for the story has come to Washington
that the Chinese have been abusing some
German citizens in the shadow of the
Chinese capital. at Tien Tsn. The
Germans have come to believe that the
only way to meet such eases is by
punitive measures, and as Tien Tsin is
at the head of navigation on the Pieho
River, just below PekiI, it may be the
purpose to send some warships up the
river to convey an idea Of the German
displeasure
The German Government followed
this announcement to the State Depart
ent of a purpose to order its vessels
away from the Philippines with formal
application to the United States Govern
ment to undertake the protection Of all
the Germans in the Philippines, not
only in person but in property. This
was regarded as a signal manifestation
Of confidence that the Administration
felt could not be resisted and as practi-
calfy formal notice that the Germans
have no ulterior purpose in the Philip
pines and rather than be subjected to
suspicion on that score have taken the
course Of turning over the care of The
welfare of their citizens to the United
States Government. The President very
promptly accepted the trust, and there
will be no German ships either at Manila
or Iloilo to disturb the relations between
the two countries by forming the basis
Of sensational and false rumors.
1t is not known here at this moment
just what German ships were actually
in Philippine waters. The press re-
ports have mentioned the arrival at Ma
Mia of the German flagship Kasarin
Augusta, few days ago. and if Berlin
accounts are accurate she is the only
representative of the German Navy
there. for the Irene sailed away some
weeks ago.
II is possible that by assuming this
responsibility the United states Govern
ment has accepted liability for any dam
ages that may he sustained by The
German residents and interests 1t Ma
Mia, but il is probable that the Hppliea-
ton must have been granted and re-
sponsibility assumed anyhow as it is
belt that Admiral Dewey and Ger
~eral Otis had assured the German com
mander Of the Augusta Of their ability
to protect every interest in Manila ~ u
reason why German forces and marines
should not be landed IT is the lfii-
ciai opinion that whateyr the rasp,a-
sibilify for damages il viii not be roo
large for the benefit which will acrHe.
In the first place there ~ no doubt
fbat the insurgents cherished the idea
that the Germans were favorable 20