The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-10
OUR RELATIONS WITH GERMANY.

President McKinley's reference in his re-
cent message TO our relations with Ger
many continues to excite comment there,
though nothing will come of it. The latest
comment at hand is that of a leading paper
at Cologne, which, while acknowledging
Ambassador Whites efforts TO keep the
peace between the two countries claims
that "they are frustrated by the Repub-
lican jingoes in America. who are ~particu-
larly venomous against Germany" This
shows the German editors ignorance of
American politics. If there is any Repub-
lican j;ngoism in this country 1T does not
take the form of hostility TO Germany.
Really, however, there are no "jingoes''
In this country in the sense in which the
word is used in England, where it origi-
n~ated-that is, those who advocate a spir-
tied foreign policy. The only time that
Americans favor such a policy is when
American rights or interests are threat
ened. and when that ceases they cease 10
be jingoes. Americans believe honestly in
the traditional policy of friendly relations
with all nations and ~entangling alliances
with none. Jingoism means habitually 60
ing around with a chip on ones shoulder
or looking for a chance to tread on some
ones toes. There is no such spirit in this
country.
The German press and people should be
the last in the world to charge Americans
with being particularly venomous against
Germany" The truth is, there is very little
unfriendly feeling here toward Germany,
almost none at all. while there is consid-
cradle cause for it. While Americans can
have no sympathy whatever for the Ger
man government, which is the worst kind
of a mixture of personalism. absolutism
and militarism. they have and will always
have great admiration and regard for the
German people. This will always temper
any resentment they might feel toward
the government for official acts of an un-
friendly or irritating character. The Ger
man government or some OF its officials
lave been guilty of quite a number of such
acts in recent years. A recapitulation OF
for unfriendly feeling toward erman
than might be supposed on first thought.
The first of a series was the exclusion OF
American chopped pork and sausages by an
imperial decree issued June %. 1850. This
was followed by a second decree, Feb. 21.
1883. prohibiting the importation of any
description OF swine meat. including hams
and bacon and canned hog products. These
DEGREES were justified on alleged sanitary
grounds. though these were never estab-
lished. but. on the contrary. were dis
proved by the United States government.
In the long controversy growing out of this
action the German government showed a
very uncompromising spirit. TIL next un-
friendly act was in 1894. when the German
ambassador at Washington formally noti-
fed the secretary of state that in conse-
quence of the introduction of Texas fever
into Germany by means OF shipments from
| New York the importation of fresh beef
and cattle would soon be prohibited. The
| Texas fever allegation was not true. the
| careful American system of inspection at
that time rendering 1t impossible tina cat
J tie affected with Texas fever or any simi-