The sun., 1899-04-26
FRANK GkRMAN COMMENT.
Frankfurter Zeitung Says Won Diederichs
Was Irritating at Manila.

Special Cable Despdtch TO THE Sun.
BERLIN. April 25.-The FrdnkJ,ntp,. Zeituno
prints the following comment on the speech Of
Capt. Coghlan
We have repeatedly pointed out that the
irritation Of the Americans was chiefly caused
by the sending OF n strong German squadron to
Manila at the beginning OF the war. for. IL only
protection to the Germans there had been in
view. single vessel would have suf1ced. Be-
sides this. there is no doubt about 1t. the
German ships were very officious at the be-
ginning OF hostlities."
The paper refers to the recent confirmation
oil the statement that the German cruiser Irene
threatened to lombard the Filipinos. who were
allied with the Americans. when they we're
about to attack the Spaniards at Subig Bay. but
as soon as the American warships Raleigh and
Concord appeared Off the place and sent few
bombs into the town the Irene steamed away.
1t continues:
1T is not to be wondered at that the Ameri-
cans regarded this as siding with the Span
iards. and that when Admiral Won Dederichs
the German commander. complained about
something to Admiral Dewey the latter burst
out with his ridiculous threat All the symp-
toms prove that the commanders Of the Ger
man ships at Manila at the beginning OF the
war did not act on their own initiative. but on
instructions from Berlin. but one may almost
be certain that the instructions did not proceed
from the Foreign Offlce."
Obviously the Zstung means it to be inferred
that they proceeded from Emperor William
himself.
The Cologne Gazette prints an official COM
munication in regard to the Coghan affair.
which says that the action OF the American
Government is in accordance with common
sense. Though the German Government docs
not heed the DraGgadocio OF Miles Gloriosus u
the paper adds. it Is to the interest OF the
American Government to bring the spouter.to
book.
The NetIeste Ndchrichten. com enting on
Capt. Coghlan's speech. says: I'VE do not hes-
tate to admit that the American sailors had q
certain amount Of justification for feeling
irritated by tho presence Of the German ships
at Manila. 1t can be easily understood that It
was unpleasant for feet engaged in warlike
operations to believe that it was under the
constant observation OF the ships OF neutral
power. although. Of course. it was utterly i'm
possible for German ships to be guilty OF any
unfair conduct toward the Americans.
The fury exhibited by the Cologne Gazette
yesterday in declaring that the Ameri-
cans had learned from their raid OF rapine
against Spain great deal OF arrogance.
while they had lost what small endow-
ment Of international courtesy they ever
possessed" contrasts amusngly with the
delight expressed by that paper to-day
over "the great readiness and civity
with which the Government of the
Unitel States has taken pains to di-
vest Capt. Coghlan's tactless invective OF
all offensveness and political Significance. -
This promptitude. adds the Gazette is
the more pleasing because it once
more demonstrates how good and friendly are
the relations between the Cabinets at Wash
ington and Berlin. The Gazette does not aban-
don its conviction that Capt. CoRhlan was I'M
der the influence OF wine when he made his
speech.
VIENNA April 25.-The recent speech Of Capt
Coghlan in New York has attracted m uch notice
here. The FremdenblaH. which is tho organ
OF the Foreign ONCE. bases an article
on the speech. the most striking point OF which
is a suggestion that the United States would
find her truest interest as a world power by
alignnG herself with the Triple Alliance rather
than with Great Britain.
The Ne,le Free Presse also expresses itself az
impressed by the urgent need Of the United
9tates for C,ermany's frien,l shin