The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-12
GERMANY and
SOUTH AFRICA.
Count Won Bu'ow Explains tho
Governments Attitude.
TRIED TO WARD OFF THE WAR.
Intervention Was Out Of the Question Whan
Kruger Asked for li-SentImsnt
Is Gut Of Place
TRIED TO WARD OFF THE WAR.

Berlin, Dec. 1i.-Chancellor Won Bulow,
In speaking OF the attitude OF Germany
ON the South African question. said that
he honestly regretted that the war
should have broken out. It was warn
ing TO Germany 10 keep her eyes open,
and showed that the only safe guarantee
OF peace and the maintenance OF ones
own rights rested on ones own strength.
Continuing he declared that important
German interests had been sympathetic
ally affected by the war. German capital
invested I'm South Africa amounted TO
hundreds OF millions OF marks Ii was
the governments duty TO see that the
war brought no Injury 10 Germany's Az
rican possessions.
The government did beforehand all In
its power 10 ward OF the outbreak OF
war. II had left the two republics I'm no
doubt as to the state OF things I'm Eu-
rope. and as TO German neutrality.
SENTIMENT OUT OF PLACE.
The chancellor added mo reproach
can be laid at our door either for the
outbreak OF the war or the fate OF the
republics 1t was no use for us 10 pinch
our fingers between the door hinge.
THAT would have done the Beers no
good and would have only injured ms very
ma atioral situation, well as from the
standpoint OF German interests we could
take no other attitude than strict neu-
trality.
I'm this, even. the sympathies cherish
ed i'm Germany for the ideal of the Beers
their freedom. can change nothing. AT a
critical juncture our policy must be
guided not by the promptngs OF senti-
ment, but by the soberly weighed inter-
ests OF the country"
Referring 10 the possibility OF subse-
auent mediation. the chancellor said
THE powers who academically ventilated
the question emphasized the fact that IL
was far from their thoughts or wish TO
compel Great Britain TO agree 10 peace
against her will.
when the suggestion OF mediation was
made -by-t United States In quite
gently worded inquiry. IL was rejected By
the British government officially and
categorically.
Intervention. if IT does not lead to di-
plomatic defeat. generally leads TO armed
conflict. We could not bring the German
nation into such a position"
PRUDENT AS POSSIBLE.
In relation 10 Mr.. Kruger's interview
with NJ. Delcasse the French Foreign
Minister. showing that the latter by po-
lite generalities had left Mr.. Kruger no
wiser than he was before, the
chancellor declared IL was as pru-
dent as possible. and was what might
have been expected from so wise and
experienced statesman.
lie added, humorously: II could not
have done better myself had Mr.. Kruger
come to Berlin"
lie further said that Mr. Kruger could
only have been told what had been told
the Boer deputation iif-the spring at
Paris, Washington, St Petersburg and
everywhere. that cessation OF the terri
BILE bloodshed was earnestly desired, but
that nothing more than friendly media
tion with Great Britain's assent would
be contemplated I'm any quarter
Count Won Bulow described Germany's
attitude toward Great Britain as one OF
complete independence. adding:
we are not bound 10 Great Britain by
n hairs breadth more than she is bound
to US. We are willing TO live i'm peace and
friendship with her on the basis OF mu-
tual consideration. but we are not here
TO act quixotically against her"