The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-02
The Reported .Overtures From the
German Emperor.


According to n telegram to the London
Daily Mail from Ats Berlin correspondent
Emperor WILLIAM believes the time
propitious for ~efTecting a cordial under
standing with the United States. We
are told that overturcs to that end have
lately been made to our Government
through highly placed officials. We do
not understand that Germany proposes a
formal treaty similar TO that by which
Great Britain and Japan guarantee their
respective possessions in the Far East,
but that the object il TO convince the
American people that while Great Britain
showed herself, TO say the least, indiffer-
ent to their interests in concluding the
treaty inst, named, the German Empire
will not only refrain from pursuing a
like course, but would willingly give the
United States any assistance it might
desire in the event Of a war in the Pacific
which might threaten our territories
there.
There is no doubt that such an offer
if it has been made is well calculated to
gain our confidence and good will. Hap
PLY we have no reason 10 believe that the
suggested ~exigencv will arise. At pres
ent We have no enemy in eastern Asia.
Nor was there any solid ground for the
rumors which now for the most part
have died away, that resentment at the
treatment of Japanese subjects in Cali
fornia might put such pressure upon the
Toxic Government as to impel il ulti-
mately to take an attitude of hostility.
The best informed men in Washington,
in Europe and in Japan itself share the
conviction that no apprehension need
be felt on that score. The wise and con-
sentative statesmen who have helped
the Mikado to bring about the astonish-
ing reconstruction of his empire during
the last forty years have cause to re-
gard and do regard the United States
as their country's best friend, next, per-
haps, to Great Britain.
Moreover, they are thoroughly ron
versant with u naval and financial
resources. They know how close to en-
haustion was Japan in August, 1905, and
they are we'll aware that whereas their
opponent at that time was also in pecuni-
airy straits the United States is inCom-
parably the richest Power in the world
and might wage an almost interminable
warfare in defence of its dignity and
honor. Neither do they need TO be told
that while the Japanese war feet might
capture by surprise and temporarily hold
some Of our seaports in the Pacific. We
should be able quickly to recover them,
for the naval force which we could
despatch for the purpose would be Of
overwhelming strength.
While, therefore. the Anglo-Japanese
and the Franco-Japanese treaties would
prevent us taking possession OF any of
the Mikado's territories, there il no doubt
that we could drive from the ocean that
1ourishing Japanese commerce which it
has cost 20 much energy and money to
develop. We should also be at liberty
10 exact a p%ecuniary indemnity, which
our antagonist could i'll afford TO pay.
These facts are as notorious in Toxic as
they are in Washington, and If we recall
them 1t is simply because the overture
imputed to Emperor WILLIAM indicates
that they are less patent in Berlin. In
no contingency. now visible should we
need the cooperation Of the German navy
in order TO safeguard our territories in
the Far East.
While this is true, it would be most
ungracious not to appreciate the feeling
that may have prompted an offer to put,
in certain circumstances, a German feet
at u disposal. If such an offer has
really been made the American people
are not likely TO forget it. After all, it
would but constitute the elimination of
a long series Of international courtesies
and proofs Of esteem. The good will Of
the United States, which Emperor WILL
lam has sought so persistently, has been
secured, and so long as he keeps it the
German Empire I'M be looked upon
~ condemned to moral isolation.