Under the above heading our German contemporary De Ostasiatische Lloyd publishes a leading article denying the statements which had been made in certain Hongkong and American papers German unfriendliness, if not hostility, to the American authorities in Mani The following is a free translation The English, and more particularly the American Press, have again given utter. ance to some sharp remarks upon the be. haviour of the German men-of-war at Manila last summer. Such deplorable irrotation does not seem likely to promote the yood relations which should exist between Germany on one side and Great Britain and the United States on the other by reason of their various common interests, Every day the stories of what was done at Manila grow, and as with time they may be the more difficult to refute it is very necessary that the incidents should he put in a proper light. When Vice-Admiral Diederichs arrived at Manila with several vessels he explained to Admiral Dewey that he had come only to look after the interests ut German'residents, and that the number of ships was an' accidental occurrence brought about by the approaching relief and exchange of crews whi could be more conveniently carried out in one place. The best relations prevailed between the Germans and Ameri and it was not until suspicion was excited by articles in the American newspapers against Germany that Admiral Dewey began to watch the movements of the German fleet, We are at a loss to understand to whose interest it was to provoke differences he-tween the United States and Germany. To our mind Germany observed as faithfully as any other nation a benevolent neutrality during the war between Spain and the United States. It is therefore remarkable that the Press of Hongkong should now plainly say that England should expect some reward for her (England's) neutrality. This reward, it is asserted at' Hongkong, should be a portion of the Philippines and of the Sulu archipelago. We cannot imagine what probability there is of Great Rritsin hoisting her flag in the islands. although it has to be noted that, in the meantime, Admiral Seymour has gone to the Philippines with the Centurion and the Narcissus. It would scarcely astonish those who have followed closely the events of the last few months at Manila if Great Britain and the United States established themselves there in friendly neighbourhood.
Some time after the surrender of Manila, when the American flag was hoisted, the British ships joined the Americans in firing a salute, an example which was not follow. ed by any other nation. In regard to this it should be said that it is unprecedented to salute the flag of the conqueror at the same time as he is doing so himself. After the cession of Kiaochou and the signing of the treaty between Germany and China, the British cruiser Barfleur entered the Bay of Tsingtao and remained for a few days; but she did not fire a salute. Nobody thought it extraordinary, because a salute is only paid when foreign gorernments have been notified of the flag-hoist-ug, which at that time had not been done. This is a valuable precedent because General Merritt, during the negotiations at Paris, complained of the German Admiral's want of politeness in this respect. The Americans were not justified in expecting the Germans to salute the flag at Manila, because it would not have been usual, but, on the contrary, very strange.
The recent unfounded accusations against Germany, which have appeared in a section of the British Press, are not likely to assist those who are striving for a union between Germany, England, America, and Japan.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.