Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-23

A year ago, and before that, there
We're many officers of the government
who accepted the common view OF
certain circles that Germany was un-
friendly to this country. Some Of these
have since been making a more careful
inquiry into the basis for this UNDER
standing. and 1t is safe to say that
none of them has been able to find one
concrete fact that would serve to con-
vince him, that there is truth in the re-
ports of German Vaccinations.
One OF these officers-a man or nigh
position. whose judgment and ability
are generally Observation-Disclosures
edged to reporter that he had ac-
copied the view that prevailed at the
time mentioned, but since he had come
to look into the subject-and his means
for so doing were second to none in
Washington-he had not been able to
find any evidence whatever of tangi-
BILE character that would lead rea-
sonable man to the conclusion that
Germany was not friendly to America.
II asked men who told me of Ger
many's enmity," he said, what made
them believe that any such enmity ex-
listed. Some of them said that COM
mercial rivalry was at the bottom of
it. But nations do not go to war on
account of honest commercial rivalry.
"Others pointed to the ambitious
naval building program of the Kaiser,
but ! found in that no threat against
the United States. Why should a
great Power like Germany remain far
down on the list of naval strength ?
Because we are making rapid strides
toward attaining first rank among the
first naval powers does not mean that
we expect war. l was told also that
Germany wanted colonies and naval
stations on the Western Hemisphere
and was getting ready to fight for that
desire. which could not be accomplished
of course without destroying the Mon
roe Doctrine. But no one of my in
formants could show me good reason
for such belief. In my opinion Ger
many wants to be, friendly and we
would be foolish not to accent her
proffers of friendship"
1t should be said that as far as the
government is concerned there has
never been any disposition to imply
lack of good faith on Germany's part
in extending the ungloved hand of
peace across the sea. 1t is true that in
the excitement of the Venezuelan
blockade. when ports were bombarded
and when ships were captured and
sunk. there was a general feeling here
in official circles that Germany had
acted in bad faith toward the United
States, particularly after the assur-
ances of intention to institute pacific"
measures Of coercion. Most of this
suspicion was directed toward Ger
many. while England and Italy went
virtually free of blame.
This feeling Of resentment over the
actions of Germans in Venezuelan
waters has not passed away, but public
men are coming to believe that the
commanders of the imperial vessels of
war were primarily responsible and
not the authorities in Berlin. A better
spirit now exists. or, at least, the de-
sire of the administration is to show
a better spirit. .....
The recent feeling engendered in
Germany over. the declination of the
Emperor's invitation for the North
Atlantic squadron to visit Kiel and
the subsequent decision of the Navy
Department to send the European
squadron to greet the President OF
France at Marseilles is regretted
officially, the more SO, because there
was not the slightest reason for Ger
many to take umbrage at the course
of this government in either case.
That the. German press is responsible
to a great degree for the misunder-
standing that has been caused is the
prevailing official opinion here, and it
is held that the United States govern
iment also has cause for grievance in
the manner in which it's purposes have
been misrepresented in the German
newspapers. ... H.
Every effort will be made by the ad-
ministration to prevent the recurrence
Of incidents which, however insignifi-
cant in themselves. tend to make a
formidable aggregate of bad feeling.
and it is not going too far to say that
these efforts will be based on an honest
desire to preserve the friendliest rela-
tons with Germany and will not be in
tended merely for effect.