The times., 1899-08-11
FRIDAY. AUGUST II, 1889.
wslheIm che Suggestive.


blaat" Of an interview which tbs German
Emperor accorded to Representative Foss,
of Indiana, and our naval attache at the
German capital, credits Wilhelm II with
saying that he believed German American
relations would always reDsain friendly. He
was convinced, he added, that Germans in
America would take good care that no ag-
gressire or hostile policy should be pursued
toward Germany.
The Kaiser doubtless is right in his pre-
diction that amicabIe relations between his
Empire and the United States viii con-
tinue indefinitely There is not the slight
est reason why they should not assuming
some things which ought to be matters of
course We are unable, however, to quite
agree with His Majesty as 10 the necessary
share Germans il America" are 10 have in
peTpetuating that desirable reign of peace
and good viii.
The German in America is factor the
value OF which. for international purposes.
We do not believe our great and good
friend has accurately estimated. During
The Spanish war, when our relations with
Germany were badly strained. rot, perhaps
because o. any ilimicai policy Of the
Kaiser but because his representatives and
agents in Manila Bay acted as IL he were
pursuing one. il was noticeable that Ger
mars in America" or great majority OF
them, were as much affronted by the sup
posed threat Of German meddling in the
Philippines as any natiye-born Yankee
possibly could be.
his countryrnen who are citizens Of this
Republic as people exactly Ike those he
rules with an iron hand at home he is away
out OF his reckoning. Most OF them came
here because caste. military oppression, and
the difficulty Of making mark as men in
the FzCherland drove them out Of il Prob
ably more than half left il between two
days, throwing their wanderbucbs" in a
native brook. and crossing the border into
Switzerland or some other country without
4 passport. People Of this class are not
Nkely to fall down and worship a potentate
Dr. q system which they risked imprison-
ment TO escape. or TO prefer the inter-
ests and ambitions of a ruler who believes
that The viii Of the prince is the voice
Of God" TO the good and integrity OF .
State which has given them the blessing
o. real self government. preserved them
sron compulsory military service, made
them the peers of every citizen of equal
intelligence and merit. and banished the
spectre Of medieval caste and discrimina-
ton from their lives.
Il is true that another kind OF German
resides An Americas a rule temporarily
He is the Consul or Consular Agent, look
ing for decoration and promotion; or q
merchant or commercial agent. expecting
some day TO make bimsslf comfortable
with American money in his old home. To
this class may be added q contingent OF
Teutons. many OF whom have left their
country for their eountry's good or who
ere excitedly iEnpelied to put on the old
uniform and '1pickelherbe" every time any
body loads them with the necessary cargo
Of schnapps. From these elements are re-
cruited the meetings Of German-Americans
who denounce the Anglo-Saxon alliance,
which does not exist, and howl at Pres
ident Mckinley 10 avoid as a pestiience
coalition with any foreign Government,
always excepting that under the benign
cEsl protection OF Me und Gott."
II the Kaiser permits himself to be de-
luded into measuring the sturdy and
worthy German American citizenship OF
the United States by such standards he
should procure expert and reliable infor-
nation on the subject, or else take medi-
cine for whatever aiis him.
Assuming. merely for arguments sake.
that he IL right in his estimate OF the
Teatonie race settled in this country, for
practical purposes IL comes TO the same
thing. large majority OF the people
OF the United States are native Ameri-
cans Its policy and progress. its interna-
tional relations. and the solution OF state
questions are and always viii be in thes.
hands. They are and probably viii con-
tinse 10 be desirous os maintaining good
understanding with the German Empire.
But IL IL ever happened that the lat
ter gave us cause for quarrel. Il would
De mistake for the Kaiser Of that day
TO fancy that any element Of foreign orr
gin within the Union would be allowed 10
vary the American course by the fraction
Of degree.
Our filestrious friend must disabuse his
imperiai raind Of any idea that this is Ger
han-America. British America. Irish
Smeriea, Itelian-America, Scandinavian