Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-03-04
GERMAN RECOGNITION
Of Our Claim to Sovereignty in the
Philippine Islands.
SHIPS ORDERED FROM MANILA

All German Vessels In Philippine
Waters Sent to China and the Lives
and Property OF German Subjects
Put Under United states Protection.
Washington March 1.-The German
government has set at rest effectually
the rumors of a purpose on its part, di-
rectly or indirectly. to embarrass the
United States in the Philippine Islands.
aud has given signal manifestation Of
its desire to promote the most cordial re-
lations between Germany and the United
Sfatcs by ordering the withdrawal Of all
vessels OF it's navy from Philippine
waters and placing the lives aud prop
erty of its subjects there under the pro-
lection of the United States govern
fnent. The action taken is regarded here
as a stroke in diplomacy by which will
be removed all possibility of a clash be-
tween German and American interests III
and about Manila and notice to all the
world, and especially any Americans
who entertained any suspicious of sinister
designs by Germany, Of the wish and
purpose OF the German empire to cui-
tivate the friendship Of the United
States. BY il Germany at once places
the protection Of all her large interests
in the islands almost completely in our
hands
The announcement Of this act by the
German government came at the close
of a day that had been full of sensa-
fional rumors of clash between the
Americans and Germans in Manila, the
rnmors finally going so far as to as
sert that Admiral Dewey had fired on
and sunk a German vessel at Manila.
These rumors spread, despite the fact
that the cable connecting Manila with
The outer world is in the control Of the
United States government, so that 1t
might be reasonably expected that the
government would receive the first news
of any disaster or collision at Manila.
Even some of the more cautious naval
officers were infected with fear for the
moment, for while they had not the
slightest idea that there had been any
trouble between the American and Ger
man ships still they realized that there
WAS always the possibility of an acct
dent aboard ship that might result dis
astrously.
Finally, Mt the close of the day, If was
announced that the German govern
n1ent had ordered their ships away from
Manila probably TO their new naval kta-
tion at Kiachau. on the Chinese coast
The announcement was coupled with the
statement that the German vessels were
needed there This may be the case,
for the story has come to Washington
that the Chinese have been abusing some
German citizens almost in the shadow
OF the Chinese capitol ut Tien Tsin The
Germans have come TO believe that the
only way TO meet such eases is by puni-
tive measures, and as Tien Tsin Is at the
head OF the navigation on the Pieho
river, just below Peling, it may be the
purpose to send some warships up the
river to convey an idea of the German
rfispleasure
1t is possible that by assuming respon-
sibilty for the care Of Germans in the
Philippines the United States govern
ment has accepted liability for any dam
ages that may be sustained by the Ger
man residents and interests at Manila,
bNf II is possible that the application
must have been granted and responsible
inv assumed anyhow, as it is believed
That Admiral Dewey and General Otis
had assured the German commander of
the Augusta of their ability to protect
every interest in Manila as a reason wig
German forces and marines should not
be landed. 1t is official opinion that
whatever the responsibility for dam
azes it will not be too large for the
benefit which will accrue. Then, too,
this frank action on the part of the
German government is calculated to re-
Eeve the tension that was beginning to
manifest itself.