Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1903-03-31

g-et that the tactful, long-headed
Dewey. returned from his brilliant
mareuvers of the American fleet in
the Caribbean, should be. thought
less as to speak of those maneuvers
and the admirable mobilization of our
warships in West Indian waters as IAN
object lesson to the kaiser" During
the trying weeks which followed the
battle of Manila bay, Admiral Dewey
had to deal with an almost intolerable
situation created by the nageins, over
bearing treatment he received from the
German admiral, Dietrich. But he did
deal with the situation in a masterful,
diplomatic manner. On the one hand
his firmness and frank expressions con-
WINGED the German admiral that there
would be a fight between the German
and American fleets any moment the
Germans chose, and on the other hand
he steere5 such u sagacious, diplomatic
course as to win the gratitude and ad
miration of his countrymen and his
government. In his dealings with the
Germans, in his dealings with the
Spaniards, and in his dealings with the
Filipinos, he was the same tactful
have looked for indiscretiol from any
other officer at this late day, rather
than from kim
According to the dispatches, the ad-
miral in his explanation to the presi-
dent, Saturday, did not deny the truth
of the interview, but thought it had
received undue notice and had been
misunderstood in Germany. He had no
thought of offending the German en-
peror or the German people, he said.
1t is very unfortunate that the adj
miral was led to express himself as he
did. Next to the president, he occu-
pies the most prominent position IN
der our government. The people of
Europe do not understand our freedom
of speech. They are accustomed. to
see high officials weigh their words.
Much greater Importance will be at
tached to DeWey's off-hand remarks 20
T. New York reporter than the occasion
demands. How the German people look
upon the incident is indicated by these
extracts from German papers, cabled
from Berlin Saturday night. The Vos-
siche zeitung. one of the mcst con-
servative and moderate organs of Ger
man opinion. said:
The American navy is evidently
suffering from a disease of infancy
lack of modesty. Its leader evinces
something unspeakably immature. One
can only stand amazed that such in
tensified seIf-competence should take
root in a people of Germanic origin.
Such behavior would not excite wonder
If it had occurred in some Central or
South American republic or Hayti. Ad-
4 miral Dewey is a worthy imitation Of
Captain Coghlan, who, a New York
club gave a boastful toast, bristling
with insults 20 Germany, and warmed
up the exploded story that Admiral
| Dewey compelled the German fleet at
Manila to lie to, when it refused 10 re-
spect the blockade. Captain CCghlan
seems, however, to have spoken from
Admiral Dewey's own heart. Captain
| Coghlan was disciplined and President
| Mckinley expressed to the German
ambassador his regret that the incident
| occurred. The same thing must per
haps be done now. in order that super
heated Dewey may be cooled down.
Political generals and admirals at any
rate. are not a sign of wholesome po-
litical conditions"
The Tageblatt Zeitung sees in Adj
miral Dewey's words confirmation Of
Its oft-repeated assertion that the
United States easy victory over Spain
has produced a certain exaggerated
military self-conceit."
That the German government is IT.
ritated is clear from the guarded eX-
pressions OF the foreign Office. The
officials are quoted as saying that they
are reluctant to believe that Admiral
Dewey was correctly quoted. especially
in view of the good will he showed tow
ard Germany il the messages eX-
changed with Prince Henry" 1t was
; added, however. that should the inter
view turn out to be true 1T ,:"oulC
probably prove somewhat disturbing t
the pleasant relations with the UEitcC
States" and in reference to the re-
cent maneuvers in West Indian water!
it was pointed out that They appear
to have been i'll chosen, since German.
has no interests in the West Indies, anC
it would seem that the maneuver
: could with greater aptitude be alluded
: to as being against England, becaus
l England or the other hand has terri
tory there.
. To be sure. nothing Immediately seri
Gus will come OF the admirals break
t but it is greatly to be regretted, never
theless. 1t is regrettable that so man,
minor incidents are constantly occur
ring to create friction between TIL
, United States and Germany. For SOM
reason the officers of our navy, tn
officers of our army. and many senator
I and congressman are of the Cpinio
t that our next war will be with Ger
many, but it IS difficult for citizens L
understand why there should be at an.