Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-27
KAUTZ INCURS DISPLEASURE
Admiral Makes Plain statements in
Letter which Indiscreet Reln-
tiNcs Make Public.

CINCINNATI, April pa letter written
by Rear Admiral Kautz to his cousin, Mrs.
Charles y. Lindey OF Cincinnati has been
made public by the recipient. 1t is dated
March 20 and is in the easy vein of a
relatives private correspondence. In the
letter he says:
you will probably read a lot of stuff
about me in various newspapers. but l can
assure you that l am all right and have
done nothing that l or my friends may be
ashamed OF, unless it is the making of a
king which l am obliged to do today. But
- is a very inoifensive sort Of young fell
a native, 10 years of age He wears
4 j .ench almiral's cooked hat, but no shoes
y stt~kinss or trousers; still, considering
the to "a weather he looks very we'll in
this climate. But | hardly think he would
look as well on Fourth street Cincinnati.
l am not king here, but just plain boss
of the ranch The German consul had that
position up to my arrival but since then
he has been a very silent partner. l am
very much afraid he does not like me-in
fact, am not at all popular here with the
Germans But l am all right with the
English and hope to pull through with
them. | have no doubt OF being sustained
by the government in all have done. 1
hope to get away from here in a month from
this time but will not be in San Francisco
before the middle of May.
"P S.-I was in error about the shoes
and trousers of his royal highness. At the
last moment his advisers prevailed on him
to put on both, just for this occasion only
Harmful Effect of Letter.
WASHINGTON, April 26.-The publication
of Admiral Kautz's letter referring to his
position at Samoa caused absolute conster-
nation at the Navy and State departments
at first reading, but there was soon eXhib-
tied disposition to minimize the affair be-
cause it was clearly apparent that the letter
was nothing more than a strictly private
communication passing between members OF
the same family. Nevertheless, coming as
Il does close upon Captain Coghan's indis
cretion and following the publication Of
Judge Chambers letter to his brother crit
icising the Germans in Samoa, the opinion
was held that Admiral Kautz's letter could
not have other than a harmful effect upon
the relations between the United States and
Germany.
The letter was brought to the attention of
the president and soTne sort of a reminder
may be sent to the officer to be more careful
in his correspondence. No orders have been
issued to the Philadelphia to leave Samoa
as the admiral says, so it is probable that
he made the statement on the belief that he
could adjust the differences between the fac
tions in Samoa within that time.
In German official quarters the letter was
not treated very seriously and there was no
indication that the German authorities
would take cognizance of 1t. The spirit OF
fun in the latter appealed to some of the
diplomatic officials, who laughed heartily
over Kautz's description of the young king s
makeup and this amusing feature largely
offset any irritation which might have been
felt over the criticisms contained in the let
ter. The impression prevailed, however
that the Navy department probably would
deal with the indiscretion in such a way as
it deserved.