Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-28
THE PURPOSE OF GERMANY.
Sir Robert Giffen Analyses the Kaiser's
Diplomatic Policy.

Diplomatic Policy.
The New York Herald's European edition
publishes the following from its correspond
emit in London:
All news concerning the Venezuelan ne
gotiations comes from New York and WASH
ington. Here nothing Is given out. Dis
patches from Berlin exhibit the same dearth
OF information.
report that Venezuela's guarantees were
sufficiently satisfactory for the representa-
tives of the powers to reach an understand
ing upon which to base fur,ner negotiations
produced an excellent effect here, which is
reflected in the tone Of the press.
There Is q spirit OF thankfuiness that
Great Britain will soon be independent Of
her aggressive ally. for the conviction Is in
creasing that Germany had far deeper mo-
tives in entangling Great Britain in her
warlike policy than the Venezuelan affair
Of itself would account for.
Sir Robert Griffen in the Times this morn
Ing points out some reasons why Germany
might be found engaging In far more serious
business than bombarding a Venezuelan
fishing settlement. Sir Robert writes:
Even IL the matter were patched up now,
the general danger OF the situation will re-
main. The Monroe doctrine is a conven-
lent one for the United States. and to some
extent for this country. It suits US every
way that the United States should cry
Hands OFF,"
But the ideas and attitude Of our Euro
pean rivals, themselves, OF whom Germany
IL the chief one. are naturally. not the
same. Why, they may ask. should they be
debarred from occupation and settlement
because 1t is very convenient to the United
States and little less 50 to England that
they should abstain absolutely?
No good reason can Be given them from
their point Of view, except force. and that
occupation and settlement In South America
will not be worth their while at the cost Of
war with the United States. even If 1t could
be successfully waged.
Here lies the danger. Some European
rival. especially Germany. may be persuad-
ment in South America, even at the cost
Of war with the United States. Is worth
trying. The German government and peo-
pie believe In colonies and possessions
They want a country for German settle
ment such al they would find in many parts
OF South America. particularly In Vene-
xueia.
"As to war with the United States which
war and 50 uncertain AZ to its result. look
Ing at the population and resources OF the
United States. we must recollect that the
traditions Of Germany are those OF mill
tary monarchy which has prospered by sue
cessful war, which has stronger navy as
far numbers go than the United States
possesses, and an immense army the United
States having only a handful Of soldiers
Suppose the German calculations should
be that at the worst 1t would be impossible
for the United States to do Germany any
material harm, while Germany. II 1t beats
the United States. win at once become the
greatest naval power next to England.
who is to say the calculation is so wild
that It may not be acted upon?
MY own belief IS that nothing will deter
Germany from aggression In South America
except the prospect OF having England on
Its hands In naval war as well as the
United States, and that German diplomacy
has contrived the present partnership with
us In order to impede possible alliance be-
tween US and that country.
German diplomacy may perhaps be aim
ing at England even more than at the
United States. for which purpose breach
between US and the United States would
be useful in order to prevent the United
States from coming to our assistance.
''Our authorities should not be too conf