The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-11
GERMANY is CAUTIOUS.
WILL NOT BE DRAGGED INTO A
NEEDLESS DISPUTE WITH
GREAT BRITAIN
IS SUSPICIOUS OF FRANCE
Believes That Country Seeks to EN-
broiI the Germans and English
Germany Wants Peace With All
Great Powers - Prince Henry's
Visit Is of Political Importance
Navy Bill Has Obstacles.

Navy Bill Has Obstacles.
Copyrighted by the Associated Press.
BERLIN, Feb 1o.-An official Of the
German foreign Office, who was question
ed today by the correspondent of the
Associated Press regarding the utterances
Of Duke John Albrecht the regent Of the
grand duchy of Mecklenburg -Schwerin, to
French newspaper man. said:
'It is true Duke Albrecht received the
Eclair representative, but the latter evil
IDENTIFY greatly exaggerated the dukes ut
terances. The French are doing every
thing possible to disturb the friendly re-
lations between Germany and England.
After Fashoda, Frances most reasonable
policy would have been to establish an
understanding in regard to the colonial
question, but, instead of this, the Paris
cabinet seeks every opportunity to create
enemies for England. If M. Delcasse
thinks it to Frances advantage to sys-
tematically agitate against England it
can do so, but he must not try to rup-
ture Anglo-German friendship"
Referring to the visit Of Prince Henry
of Prussia, the foreign Office official says:
1.-THE immediate object is to present
himself to Emperor Francis Joseph as an
Austrian vice admiral, to which rank he
was recently nominated. A political pur-
pose may be assigned to the visit, as
Germany wishes to show that all recent
attempts to shake the dreibund have
been fruitless. The dreibund's enemies in
Paris and ST. Petersburg must be shown
that all the recent intrigues have had
no result. Germany emphasizes this by
Prince Henry's visit to Germanys ally
NAVAL BILL.
The reichstag debate on the naval bill,
and the question, will it pass?' over
shadow everything just now. But the
queer fact deserves recording that the
much-heard-of enthusiasm and so-called
Notwithstanding seem to haev suddenly
oozed away as the naked facts confront
ed the speakers, both for the government
and the opposition. Even Herr Richter,
the Radical leader, whose witty, keen
speech is usually relished, even by the
cabinet, was not at his best Friday. The
secretary of the admiralty, Admiral Tir-
pitt, spoke several times lengthily, but
only once spiritedly. Intrinsically, the
best speech was that of the secretary Of
Wahner, who made a strong case in IA
vor of the contention that the nation
will not need new taxation after doubling
the navy. He also proved that, after
passing the bill, Germany protects her
merchant marine with one ton Of navy
against seven and one-half tons of mer-
chantship, while the United States pro-
portion is five to one, Italy's one to
three, and Russias and Frances is even
less. He made strong point, insisting
that the bundesrath passed the bill at
both readings unanimously. The absence
and probable death of DR.. Lieber, the
Centrist leader, lessons the chances of
the bill, as DR.. Lieber would have acted
as a mediator between the government
and the Center. There Is. nobody At to
take his place as chief Of the Center.
GERMANY AND ENGLAND.
Count Won Buelow, the minister of for
eign affairs, and the emperor still take
care to vigorously destroy the impression
In England and elsewhere that Germany
at any time meant to Join in steps call
ing on Great Britain to halt in South
Africa This impression has been cum
ningly nursed and fostered by French
diplomacy and In the French press and
Count Won Buelow believes 1t has been
for the purpose of projecting Great Brit
am lnCO an openly nOSlll6 attitude TO
Germany. This purpose may row he con-
sidered to have failed. The whole Ger
man semi-offcial press during the week
has published acts showing that Ger
many wishes to remain friend with
both Russia and France and with Great
Britain
Influenza has attained an enormous
spread throughout Germany. In Berlin
there Is hardly one family but suffers.
One victim Is the wife Of the Spanish am
bassador F. Mendez de Vigo.
7 he coal strike is gradually extending
in Germany. The Halle and Leipzig dis
tricts are also affected Daily comes the
news that large factories have closed
because of lack of coal.
The secretary Of the German tool man
ufacturers has decided not to attend the
Russian machinery exhibit and that
movement Is now considered to have mis-
carried.
The projected memorial meeting in
honor of Giordano Bruno, the italian
philosopher, will be held in Beethoven
hall, the municipal council having re.
fused the use of the council chamber.
The refusal Is much condemned.
The United States ambassador, Andrew
D. White. and Mrs. White give a din
ner this evening to Prof Stevens of
Yale: Prof. James, Of the University of
Chicago; Prof. Hammond, of Cornell;
Profs. Won Soden, Delbrueck and Won
Schierbrand, Of Boston, and score of
others.