Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-04

The course Of Germany in Withdrawing
her warships from Philippine waters
and asking the United States to assume
protection of German interests in the
Philippines is gratifying. for several rea-
sons 1t removes the possibility Of Wall
streets rigging the stock market as
it has done on several occasions by means
of fictitious accounts Of naval cOmplica-
tons between the two Powers at Manila,
and Il treasures timld businessmen who
had argued themselves into the belief
that so long al a German feet remained
in range Of Deweys guns there was
danger Of a clash. II also dashes any
hopes the Filipnos may have entertain
cd that the Germans symDathiZed with
them. MOreOyer-and that Is the most
gratifying feature Of the matter-Ger-
many's action IS coincidental with evil
dence Of a change IN the attitude oil the
German Government as respects the ques-
ton Of imports from the United States.
Although there has been no official an
nouncement on the subject, there are
significant signs that the Kaiser recog-
nizes that he made a mistake in siding,
as far as he did, with the agitatOrs who
caused the recent straining Of CONNER
ciaI relations between the empire and the
United States, and who it is very appa-
rent do not represent the German
masses.
hotUpWqr
Germany's Change Of front" as IT has
been termed, eliminates the danger Of
war between the two nations, there is
nothing in It, And for the simple rea-
SON that such danger really never ex-
listed. 1t so happened that about the time
Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet at
Manila, the Germans, in pursuance Of
Emperor Williams proclamation of a new
Hansa, and owing to a squabble they
had had with China, were making an
unusual naval demonstration" in Asiatic
waters. This demonstration was as
much a commercial advertising scheme
as anything else. Germany, desiring to
be as fully in evidence as possible in
connection with the far-East question
which was then attracting the attention
OF the world. took occasion to push
herself 10 the fore wherever exciting
events were transpiring.
That some Of the performances the
German admiral at Manila is charged
with were not in the best of taste there
is hardly a question Nor does there
seem any doubt that on occasions there
was friction between Dewey and the
German naval commander But under
somewhat similar circumstances, naval
commanders of different Powers have
been at decidedly more serious odds with
each other than were Dewey and DIE
derch. and no grave consequences result
ed. Besides. during our trouble with
Spain. the German Government itself
never in the slightest degree overstepped
the line of strict neutrality.
But as gratifying as is Germany's ac-
lions for the reasons stated, we are not
destined to be the sole beneficiaries there
Of. Germany is not a great naval Power
and the far East question is liable any
day to become acute again. Any day she
may need all the men, and all the ships.
and all the friends she can command
in that quarter of the world. In accept
ing the trust she has asked us TO accept
we leave her more free-handed than she
has been for months to meet any emer-
gency that may arise out of the far East
situation, and become responsible Tor
damages that may occur to the property
| held by Germans in the Philippines. In
connding the trust TO US, the Berlin Gov
| eminent not only opens the way for the
conclusion with the United States of a
commercial treaty that would be 10 Ger
many's advantage. but insures increased
friendship between the high contracting
parties that may serve the Emperor good
stead on the other face of the globe. -
if would seem that while Germany has
M last been Every nice" to us as to the
| Philippines question, she has concurrent
" INDUCED in a shrewd stroke Of diplo
| macy