The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-28
DEWEY NAY OFFEND GERMANY.
INDISCREET REMARKS PRINTED
IN THE NEWSPAPERS.
lie Said That the NEST indian Naval
ManGuyres We're an Object Lesson
TO the Kaiser More Than to Any Othcr
Pers0n-(ermany May Take Offence.

ManGuyres We're an Object Lesson
20 the Kaiser More Than TO Any Other
Person-Germany May Take Offence.
WASHINGTON, March PA great deal
of comment has been caused here to-day
over statements attributed to Admiral
Dewey, In an interview printed In the
Newark Eeninp Neus and copied in other
newspapers. One statement in particular
attracted the attention OF Washington
officials and brought from them expressions
of regret that it should have found its
way into print. The Admiral, In speak
ing Of the recent winter naval man1uvres
in the West Indies, is made 10 say that
they were the greatest object lesson OF
the kind that the world had ever seen,
and to this was added:
1T was an object lesson to the Kaiser
more than to any other person. Think
of 1t, ffty-four warships. including coliers
and all. Germany could not possibly
get a fleet over here that could fhght such
an aggregation Of warships as that
Admiral Dewey admitted to-day the
substantial accuracy Of the interview,
but he disclaimed any intention Of desiring
TO say anything that might be construed
rs offensive by the German Emperor or
Nv '''' 80
not expect to see his views made promi-
nent in print. He took occasion to say,
also. that he had the friendliest feelings
for Germany. and referred to the pleasant
acquaintance he had formed with Prince
Henry of Prussia the kaiser's brother
in the Far East. and their equally pleasant
meeting in Washington during Prince
Henry's American visit last year.
l.. hA int
view, has not. "a far as can be ascertained.
given ii any attention or commented upon
IL. Secretary Hay declined to discuss the
matter, and acting Secretary OF the Navy
Darling was equally circumspect IL IL
known, however, that the Admlrals re-
marks about the object lesson OF the winter
manPuvres has caused great concern In
Adminst ration circles, and as matters
stand the Government is again face 10
face with an incident that. however trivial
il may seem, may tend to inJure the good
relations Of the United States and Germany
Coming Immediately after the adverse
comments Of the German press on the dec
lination by the President Of Emperor Will
liams invitation for the North Atlantic
battleship squadron TO visit kiel during the
coming summer regatta. the Admirals
statements are likely to receive value
out OF all proportion to their importance.
The declinaton of the Kaiser invitation
and the postponement Of the dedication OF
the Frederick the Great statue for year
have never been understood in Germany,
much 70 the regret of the Administration
There was no other reason for the post |
ponement of the statue dedication than |
The chaotic condition of the new War Col |
lege grounds, where the statue is TO be |
placed. IL was feared by the author- |
ties that in the erection of buildings and |
the general work in the vicinity Of the |
site for the statue it might he injured. |
The Government hestated for a long time
TO suggest the postponement, fearing that
IL might he misconstrued in Germany, but
ultimately determined that this was the
proper course 20 pursue.
As for the declnation OF the invitation |
concerning the battleship squadron, II had
never been intended that IL should 60 to
any other European port than Lisbon.
The Navy Department was strongly OPP
posed to permitting the squadron TO en-
gage In any festivities, or to spend more
than a few weeks In European waters.
Why the German press should have regarded
the dcclination as an affront to Emperor
William In not understood here, where |
general regret is expressed that this en-
tirely erroneous impression should have
gained currency among the kaiser's SUBJ
jects.
From what was said to-day II il believed |
to be unlikely that the Government will !
notice the indiscreet remarks attributed |
to Admiral Dewey unless Germany makes |
an issue in regard to them, The hope was !
expressed in influential quarters that the |
German Government would understand that |
the hostile feeling against Germany TO DO |
construed from what was said by the Ad-
miral is not shared by the United States. |
which is, on the contrary, earnestly de-
sirous OF maintaining the best relations
with that country.