The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-07


BERLIN. Jan. 1.-THE excitement occa-
stoned by the seisures Of German steamers
| by British cruisers increases and absorbs
everything else. Even the opening Of the
| Prussian diet on the coming Tuesday is
dwarfed thereby. In spite Of the strong
est current Of popular anti-British senti-
ment. the German government still hon
estly tries to continue Its course Of loyal
neutrality. but anxiously awaits favorable
British action regarding the seizures which
the government and nation both regard as
unjustihed.
sefsure In Neutral Territory.
The government has ascertained without
Z shadow of doubt that the Bundesrath
was seized on strictly neutral territory
within radius belonging by international
law to the Portuguese colony.
Thereby the action of the British cruiser
Magicienne was clearly wrong. as here
contended The news that Great Britain
at Alden, is here construed as Great Brit
aims backing down.
Hope England VIII Recede.
In ofiicial circles today the hope was ex-
pressed to representative Of the Associ-
ated Press that Great Britain will admit
she ia wrong after detailed and compre-
hensive proofs are submitted at London.
Part Of these profs are the bills of lading
Of the BundeEath,s the General and the
Herzog, showing that the German East
African line was most particular to avoid
all chances of their vessels containing con-
traband. The Bundesrath is shown to
have had on board forty-two passengers
for Delagoa bay. comprising twelve Portu-
guese, of whom several were government
ofYicials, two former Austrian and one
former German army officer. The rest
were civilians This line Is subsidized by
Germany to the amount Of 100000 marks
annually.
The action Of the Colonial Society in fur
ther infaming public opinion is condemn
ed by large part of the press. The Freis-
sinige Zeitung says:
.'The president Of the Colonial Society Is
the regent of Mecklenberg-S -Schwerin. Does
he deem 1t compatible with his position to
use such Language toward friendly pow
err"
other Press Comments.
The Hamburg Correspondents doubts
tion meetings.
The Madgeburg Zeitung says:
"He who advocates forcib.e measures
does not know that Germany in such
conflict with England would be Isolated,
since In France everybody awaits the mo-
ment inpaaiently when serious quarrel
between those two great powers will en-
able her to act"
The vossische Zeitung says:
"Au the political parties in Germany will
support the government in vigorously pro-
tecting our interests. The attitude Of the
whole German press shows that. But It
will be foolish to join In protest meetings
at this stage"
The Cologne Gazette says:
'It Is regrettable that an English cruiser
dared to seize the Bundesrath, but Ger
manys sober opinion disavows purely agi-
tatory measures"
Raising Red Cross Funds.
A fact interesting to note is that Capt.
Fry, of the English church, in Berlin; Brit
ish Ambassador Sir Frank c. Lascelles. and
committee now call for subscriptions for
the sick and wounded in South Africa. A
concert is to be given January .. the pro-
ceeds to go toward the fund.
The German Red Cross Society at the
DeEluuluS VI Tic war olcIcO dlQ IL tuo
British wounded, but the proffered assist
ance was rejected.
VIII Help the Naval Bill.
The correspondent here OF the Associated
Press interviewed Herr Barth, the Frei-
slnnige leader, who said:
1.-THE Bundesrath incident will cause the
naval bill to pass with a rush. 1t will
break the Centrist opposition. No party,
not even the Socialists, would risk going
before the country in opposition to the
feet bill. as 1t would be swept away
The government is expected to hurry for
ward the bill. so as to take advantage Of
the situation.
Canal Dill Fight.
With the reconvening Of the diet, the
canal bill fight will be renewed. The gov
ernment's chances OF passing the new bill
have somewhat improved in the mean
while. But the Conservatives remain OBJ
durate. in spite Of the conciliatory meas
ures and utterances recently made by
Prince Hohenlohs and Dr. Won Miguel.
Strong argumentations have been prepar-
ed by the opponents OF the BILL including
the fact that the newly opened Dortmund-
Ems canal must be closed for three
months for extensive repairs, showing the
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