Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-04-26
GERMANY PROTESTS.
Formal Objection Registered to
Raleigh Commanders
Language.

Washington. ID. c., April 24.-The Ger
man government has entered . formal
protest against the language used by
Capt. COghlan of the Raleigh at the
Union League club banquet iii New York
last Friday night.
The protest was lodged with Secretary
Hay through the German ambassador
Herr Won Holleben.
Secretary Hay replied that the language
appeared to have been used at dinner in
club, and SO could not be regarded as
an official or public utterance in the
sense that would warrant the state de-
parunent IN acting.
However, the navy department was
fully competent to take such action as
the case seemed to require. With this
statement the ambassador was content.
for the time at least, and will doubtless
await a reasonable length of time upon
the navy department. There are semi
fetal limitations that the ambassador
will not so much concern himself with
the course of Capt. Coghlan as with the
course of the United States in dealing
with CCghlan.
Not Similar to Spanish Case.
1t is said that Capt. Coghlan's case is
not similar to that OF the Spanish cap
rid Just before the war in severe criticism
of tue United States, caused the state
department to lodge a formal protest
through United States Minister Hannis
Taylor
Capt. Conchas' utterances were en-
bodied in lecture delivered before the
Spanish Geographical society, and were
public III the full sense of the term.
Secretary Hay, in his reply to the Ger
man ambassador, has undoubtedly taken
note of the difference between the cases
on this particular point, and it may be Il
very important difference for Capt. Cogh-
Ian. The state department position is
that club is simply the home of Il num-
Der Of gentlemen and SO cannot be CON
sidered public affair
But this view does not relieve Capt.
Coghlan from responsibility TO his broth
er officers for conduct which is alleged to
be detrimental to the navy. Though re-
heved from accounta bility to the sta te
department, directly, by Secretary Hays
attitude, the navy department. AZ the
secretary has indicated, must deal with
the case.
May be Called to Account.
Capt. Coghlan can be called to account
on several charges presuuling that he mas
been correctly reported and that he add
mlts the utterances. In Commodore
Meade'S case, if he stands mute and the
newspapers refuse TO testify, the navy
department can proceed no further Thu
charge which would most probably be
brought against Capt. Coghlan in case
the affair progresses to Il court-martia a
would be conduct 10 the prejudice OF
good order and discipline, and conduct
unbecominS an officer and Il gentleman.
SO far no response has been received
from Capt COghlan at the navy depart
ment. 1t Is expected that the officer will
proceed with delibCratiOn III making any
statement he may care TO submit 10 the
department. Meanwhile unpleasant Sug-
gestiOns are arising to the embarraSS.
ments that may follow the execution of
the round of receptions already planned
for the Raleigh.
The German ambassador appeared at
the state department at noon today for
the purpose Of making further represpn-
tatiOns to Secretary Hay touching the
conduct of Capt. Coghan so that the ut
teranceS of Capt. Coghlan at the Army
and Navy clue, published in yesterday
mornings papers, were regarded as an adj
ditlonal offense An effort was made to
ascertain whether the United States gov
crnment intended to do anything official
ly. i'll view of subsequent developments
III the case.
Secretary Hay has not changed his po-
sllon III any degree. He deprecated the
lack OF tact, and the bad taste shown
by Capt. Coghlan and he did not hesitate
to let that be known to the German am
bassador. But he still held that the case
was one that required treatment 10y meth
which the state department could not
ircalf