The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-30

Attic the revelations which have
been made already in the British house
OF commons have thrown some light
on the international intrigues which
complicated the progress Of the Cuban
war. the tragic event which caused the
United States to draw the sword
against Spain has remained a profound
mystery to the present hour.
The truth concerning the destruction
OF the United States warship Maine,
in the roadstead Of Havana is known
fully to only two persons now alive.
One of these two has taken the VOW
OF perpetual silence in the monastery
OF La Trappe, and his name is already
forgotten by the world.
l shall cause some surprise, perhaps,
when l venture to assert that, had I
left my hotel ten minutes earlier on
certain memorable night in the year
1898, the Spanish flag might still be
flying over the citadel of Havana.
going to re1aee haa It's THnsa
point in Paris, which is. to large ex-
tent, the clearing house Of internation-
al politics-the diplomatic exchange
where the representatives Of the powers
meet and sound each others minds.
For this reason the highest post in the
diplomatic service of every country is
still the Paris embassy, altho France
itself scarcely ranks today as a power
OF the first magnitude.
1t is Paris, as everyone is aware,
which was the scene of the long nego-
tlation between the representatives of
the Cuban insurgents and the govern
ment OF Madrid on the question of the
terms to be granted by Spain to her
discontinued colony. In this negotia-
ton it is equally well known that the
Cuban delegates received the moral
support of the United States; but it
lsh government acted thruout in consul
tatlon with most of the European
powers.
L was looking on at the negotiation
without any very great interest, shar-
ing. as I did, in the general impression
that Spain would give way before long,
when l was surprised one morning by
receiving visit from a very remark.
able character.
Ludwig Keller was a Bawarian, who
priesthood. A disgraceful affair, the
particulars Of which I had never
learned, had caused his dismissal
from the seminary, and, after drifting
about the world for time, and
mixing in very shady company, he
suddenly appeared in Berlin in the
The exact ac n R9lfe IS the services
which he rendered to the police was a
mystery, but I had formed the theory
that he was employed as a spy on the
German Catholics, whose attachment to
the house Of Hohenzollern has always
been suspected in Berlin.
The presence Of this man in Paris
was in itself an unusual event It did
not occur to me to connect it with the
Spanish American question, and that
for very simple reason. Germany is
the one country in Europe which has
never possessed a foot Of soil in the
new world. Spain, Portugal, England,
Fran trancei and i even Helland and Dennaarlz
iantic, but the German Michael has
been content to remain at home while
his neighbors were colonizing the globe.
[ received Keller coldly. NY &C.
quaintance with him was purely pro-
I profoundly distrusted.
AS soon as / could do 50, without posi-
tive rudeness, | invited him to explain
the object of his visit.
faced the Bavarian. "May I assure
myself that our conversation will re-
main a secret between us two9'
| bowed gravely.
'That is always understood, where
! am concerned. A man who desires to
be trusted must begin by establishing
reputation for secrecy
Keller contented himself with this
assurance, dry as it was. ~
thank you, Monsieur v. Your
reputation is so we'll established that
had no intention except to ask
whether you were willing to receive the
prafezos h Hgfr Rghef to if 7da win
SO, good -
''You have learned, no doubt, that the
Spanish government has made up its
mind to concede the. terms demanded
States7'
Altho I was not aware that things
had reached this point, I did not allow
Keller to see that he had given me any
information.
"By this act,'' he continued, "the
Americans have, in fact, declared that
no European power has any right to en-
ter their hemisphere without their per-
mission.''
"All that is well known, Herr Keh.
1er.' .-f
"The question then arises whether
the European powers will allow them
Whether, BY bold Continuation, they
will reduce the United States to some
respect for the law of nations"
"Such a combination would be in
opportune at this moment, because the
British would stand aloof.'
"Because they look upon the struggle
as one between Spaniard and Cuban, .
Keller rejoined quickly. "But let us
suppose there to be a war, in which the
H Hnited States was engaged against
"You have just said there will be nc
such war;
ga war is always possible, provided
those interested in bringing it about
are not too scrupulous. -
This sinister language at length con
WINGED me that the Bavarian had not
come to see me for nothing. I decided
to draw him out.
menced, | agree that some combination
on behalf Of Spain might be possible
I murmured, as tho reviewing the situa
tion in my mind. "But where is thu
government sufficiently in earnest, t.
undertake so terrible a responsibility
cit is that government" Keller re
sponded. (which sees its subjects de
parting in greater numbers every year
but which looks around in vain 70,
ton.
'fYou mean German7'' So r..
GIVE look around us," he continued
scarcely noticing my interruption, "ans
we see all the continents staked out il
advance by other powers: Asia b,
England and Russia, Africa by England
and the United States, Australia b,
o1opo Nboro ro,>,o IL,