| Show A FRUITFUL THEME reports have been circulated with considerable persistence that germany was bent upon doing something to the detriment of the united states in its war with spain these reports have had to do especially with events in the philippines there can be little litti 0 doubt that so far as they relate to governmental ern mental action these reports have been entirely false this is what the chicago record says and doubtless represents a hope quite as much as a belief and in this shape it is quite generally prevalent throughout the united states still in the light of all the facts it is as well not to brand as yellow journalism all conclusions based upon what germany is doing in preference to what her emperor to is saying that nation already has more naval power at manila than is actually needed for the protection of german subjects J and more of such power to is on the way this has a meaning and until the meaning shall have developed it is a proper subject of speculation if not real concern it adds not a little to the disquieting phase of the case that it never seemed to occur to the reigning power of germany that more naval n ava I 1 force was needed at the philip pinea and therefore dispatched two more fighting craft until the united states state had sent that number to reinforce ivr ships it ought to be recognized that this country has the undisputed right to send as much military and naval power to the islands as it pleases that it I 1 o there as a conqueror and must re tain by force what it has taken in that way if it retains at all it is different with any other nation america and d spain alone are entitled to maintain a war footing on the philippine islands or in the waters adjacent and either has the right to dislodge the other but other powers have halve no right to participate the above cited says further along it is undoubtedly true that there exists in germany some prejudice against t the united states the agricultural class is vexed with american campeti and the commercial element chafes at our trade restrictions if th the e truth were known it is ia probable that any uneasiness the germans may feel at the prospect of american 0 occupation cc up tion of the philippines 1 is based upon a fear that we may extend to those islands our system of absurdly high tariff duties P probably this sets out a cause for commercial uneasiness in germany which has a right to object to or complain of the tariff laws of any country and to seek by legitimate methods to effect a change thereof but it has bias no right to attempt or to threaten violence to accomplish its purpose especially when the things complained of have as yet no existence |
