The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-15
GERMANY PLAYS
VERY GOOD BLUFF
Down in South American
Waters With Uncle SAM
WILL HE CALL KAISER
Or Allow Monroe Doctrine to
Become Dead Letter.
WILL HE CALL KAISER

Berlin, March &c -Germany's aggressive
naval policy toward South American re-
publics will not be modified as a result Of
the solution of the Venezuelan issues.
On the contrary the outcome of the ne
gotiations is interpreted here as distinct
victory for the German naval and foreign
Offices which establishes a precedent for
future conduct toward other South Amer
lean republics, particularly Brazil and Co
lombia, which may attempt to evade debts
of German financial syndicates and citi-
Zens.
German naval construction yards are
just now showing remarkable produc-
tivity and speed in completing battleships
cruisers and gunboats Hardly a fort
night passes that the marine items from
Kiel, Stettin, Wilhelmshaven, and other
large German ship building centers do
not announce the launching of a new war;
ship. With the recent launching of new
battleships of the Victim and H type
Germany has two complete divisions of
battleships for home coast protection,
one Of which is under the command of
Prince Henry. AS quickly as new ships
are available the Asiatic squadron the
South sea fleet and other stations are
reinforced.
Pan-Germans, the Hanseatic League,
pro-coloniai extension societies and the
Deutsche Flotten Verein are just now
working hand in hand to promote senti-
ment in favor of an augmented foreign
navy Although an inventory of the ex-
penses incurred by Germany in conducting
its Venezuela naval policy fails to reveal
any profits. there is general congratula-
ton that Germany has succeeded in de-
priving the bugbear Monroe doctrine of
much of its abhorrent aspects. Officially
the announcement has been made through
the Allgemeine Zeitung that the Venezue-
la controversy and its results have in no
way caused an estrangement of diplo-
matte relations between Berlin and Wash
ington. But it is difficult to find this same
sentiment reflected in quarters which
must be regarded as more faithful to
public sentiment.
No keen vision is required to recognize
an increase in the feeling of commercial
hostility toward the United States. Con-
sular reports from German representa-
tlVes in South America show that the
United States invader is making rapid
Roadway there at the cost of German
trade. German commerce with Venezue-
la has been almost paralyzed by the re-
cent naval folly. The i'll luck which at
tended German investments in South
America has scared off the large banking
and financial syndicates from that terri
tory. Whatever may be the relations be-
tween the two governments there is no
doubt that commercial and financial Ger
many regards the United States as its
most dangerous foe In seeking further
South American trade. Recent export and
import statistics from Hamburg show
that Germany is constantly dropping
away in South American markets, and
that large exporting and importing houses
are turning their attention to other and
more profitable fields
This is but a reflection of the general
antagonism which exists against the
United States commercially. All along
the line there are efforts being made to
dslodge American firms established in
Germany. This applies especially to cleo
trical machinery. tools. agricultural I'M
plements and other branches which
have made big advances. That these eff
forts have not been unavailing is conclu-
sively shown by the decrease in imports
complete humiliation of electrical i'm
ports. tools. agricultural machinery dried
apples and other products. The situation
has become so serious for American firms
here that they have formed a cooperative
society for mutual protection and dele
cations are TO he sent to Washington to
rar if
on the other side so as to induce the Ger
man government TO modify it's tariff atti-
tude towards the United States On the
coming Saturday leading Americans in
business in Berlin Will hold a special meet
ing to draw up a set of resolutions TO be
sent to Washington pleading for the open
ing of tariff treaty negotiations. 1t is a
matter of life and death with these firms.
for the German government has no inten-
ton of allowing pro-American sentiment
of whatever fugitive character it may be.
10 prevent a rigid exclusion of American
competitors.
With the opening of the Reichstag and
Landtag election campaigns feeling in
creases against the American CONNER
oial invasion The cry out with Ammer-
lean made goods is becoming popular
campaign motto with which different par
ties. including not only the Agrarians.
but also the Social Democrats. hope TO
win votes. The elections viii be conduct
ed largely on local issues. but the eco
nonic and tariff issues make international
questions of trade paramount this spring
All other issues are secondary besides
the Encouragement of tarin treaties for
the bulk 81 consumers both large and
small viii be vitality affected by the opera
tion OF the new tar:f.-C. 4. L.