forjustaboutthisperiodthereweredraggingalong，intheBerlinandothercityjournals，accountsofGermantrialsforfraudandworse，surpassing，insomerespects，anythingwithinmymemoryofAmericantribunals。Thequantityoffig—leavesrequiredinsomeofthesetrialswasenormous;and，despiteallprecautions，somedetailswhichescapedintothepressmightwellbringablushtothemosthardenedAmericanoffender。Itwasbothvexatiousandcomicaltoseethesmug，Pharisaicalwayinwhichmanyjournalsignoredallthesethings，andhelduptheirhandsinhorroratAmericanshortcomings。Sometrials，too，whichatvarioustimesrevealedthebrutalityofsundrymilitaryofficerstowardsoldiers，wereheartrending;andespeciallyoneortwoduels，whichoccurredduringmystay，presentedfeaturescalculatedtoshockthetoughestAmericanrough—rider。ButallthisseemednotforamomenttowithdrawtheattentionofourTeutoniccensorsfromAmericanfollyandwickedness。OneofthemainchargesconstantlymadewasthatinAmericatherewasa"DeutschenHetze。"VerymanyGermanpapershadreallypersuadedthemselves，andapparentlyhadconvincedalargepartoftheGermanpeople，thatthroughoutourcountrythereexistedahate，deepandacrid，ofeverythingGermanandespeciallyofGerman—Americans。TheingenuityofsomeGermanpapersinsupportingthisthesiswaswonderful。OnoneoccasionapettysquabbleinaRomanCatholictheologicalschoolintheUnitedStatesbetweenthemoreliberalelementandareactionaryGermanpriest，inwhichthelattercametogrief，wasdisplayedasanevidencethattheAmericanpeopleweredeterminedtodriveoutallGermanprofessorsandtoabjureGermanscience。ThedoingsofeveryscapegraceinanAmericanuniversity，ofeverysillywomaninChicago，ofeveryblackguardinNewYork，ofeverysnobatNewport，ofeverydesperadointheRockyMountains，ofeveryclubloaferanywhere，wereservedupastypicalexamplesofAmericanlife。Themunicipalgovernmentsofourcountry，andespeciallythatofNewYork，wereanexhaustlessquarryfromwhichspecimensofeverykindofscoundrelismweredrawnandusedinbuildingupanidealstructureofAmericanlife;corruption，lawlessness，andbarbarismbeingitsmostsalientfeatures。
　　Norwasthisconfinedtothemoreignorant。Menwhostoodhighintheuniversities，menofthegreatestamiability，whoinformerdayshadbeenthewarmestfriendsofAmerica，hadnowbecomeourbitteropponents，andsomeoftheirexpressionsseemedtopointtoeventualwar。
　　YetIdoubtwhetherwehaveanyrighttocomplainofsuchattacksandmisrepresentations。Asamatteroffact，nonationwashessomuchofitsdirtylineninthefaceofthewholeworldasdoesourown;and，whatisworse，thereiswashedinourcountry，withmuchnoiseandperversity，agreatdealoflinenwhichisnotdirty。Manydemagoguesandsome"reformers"arealwaysdoingthis。ThereisinAmericaacertainclassofexcellentpeoplewhoseenothingbutthescumonthesurfaceofthepot;nothingbuttheworstthingsthrowntothesurfaceintheebullitionofAmericanlife。Ortheymaybecomparedtopeoplewho，withaPersiancarpetbeforethem，persistinlookingatitsseamyside，andfindingnothingbutoddsandends，imperfectjoints，unsatisfactorycombinationsofcolor;therealpatternentirelyescapingthem。Theshrillutterancesofsuchmenriseabovethelowhumofsteadygoodwork，andaretakeninGermanyasexactstatementsofthemainfactsinournationallife。
　　LetmerepeathereoneexamplewhichIhavegivenmorethanonceelsewhere。Severalyearssince，aneffortwasmadetoimpeachthePresidentoftheUnitedStates。Thecurrentwasstrong，andmostpartyleadersthoughtitbesttogowithit。ThreesenatorsoftheUnitedStatessturdilyrefused，theirleaderbeingWilliamPittFessendenofMaine，who，believingtheimpeachmentanattempttointroduceSpanish—Americanpoliticsintoourcountry，resolutelyopposedit。TheStateconventionofhispartycalleduponhimtovoteforit，thenationalconventionofthepartytookthesameground，hisrelativesandfriendsbesoughthimtoyield，buthestoodfirmlyagainstthemeasure，andfinally，byhisexampleandhisvote，defeatedit。ItwasanexampleofSpartanfortitude，ofRomanheroism，worthytobechronicledbyPlutarch。Howwasitchronicled？IhappenedtobetravelinginGermanyatthetime，andnaturallywatchedcloselyfortheresultoftheimpeachmentproceedings。OnemorningItookupaGermanpapercontainingthenewsandread，"Theimpeachmenthasbeendefeated;threesenatorswerebribed，"andattheheadofthelistofbribedsenatorswasthenameofFessenden！Thetimewillcomewhenhisstatuewillcommemoratehisgreatexample;letushopethatthetimewillalsocomewhenpartyspiritwillnotbeallowedtodisgraceourcountrybysendingouttotheworldsuchmonstrouscalumnies。
　　AstoattacksupontheUnitedStates，itisonlyfairtosaythatGermanpublicistsandnewspaperwriterswereundermuchprovocation。SomeoftheAmericancorrespondentstheninGermanyshowedwonderfulskillinmalignantinvention。Mypredecessorsintheembassyhadsufferedmuchfromthiscause。Oneofthem，whomIhadknownfromhisyoungmanhoodasagentlemanofrefinedtastesandquiethabits，utterlyincapableofrudenessofanysort，wasaccused，inasensationalletterpublishedinvariousAmericanjournals，ofhavingbecomesonoisyandboisterousatcourtthattheEmperorwasobligedtorebukehim。Varioushintsofafoulandscandalouscharacterweresentoverandpublished。
　　Iescapedmoreeasily，butthereweretwoorthreeexampleswhichwerebothvexatiousandamusing。
　　Shortlyaftermyarrivalatmypost，lettersandnewspaperarticlesbegancomingdeploringtheconductoftheGermanstowardme，expressingdeepsympathywithme，exhortingmeto"standfirm，"declaringthattheAmericanpeoplewerebehindme，etc。，etc。，allofwhichpuzzledmegreatlyuntilIfoundthatsomecorrespondenthadsentoveratelegramtotheeffectthatthefeelingagainstAmericahadbecomesobitterthattheEmperorhimselfhadbeenobligedtointerveneandcommandtheofficialsofhisempiretopresentthemselvesatmyofficialreception;andwiththisstatementwascoupledadeclarationthatIhadmadethemostearnestremonstrancetotheImperialGovernmentagainstsuchtreatment。Thesimplefactwasthatthenoticewasinthestereotypedformalwaysusedwhenanambassadorarrives。Oneverysuchoccasiontheproperauthoritiesnotifyallthepersonsconcerned，givingthetimeofhisreceptions，andthiswassimplywhatwasdoneinmycase。Onanotheroccasion，telegramsweresentovertoAmericanpapersstatingthatthefirstsecretaryoftheembassyandmyself，onvisitingParliamenttohearanimportantdebate，hadbeengrosslyinsultedbyvariousmembers。
　　Thefactwasthatwehadbeenreceivedbyeverybodywiththeutmostkindness;thatvariousmembershadsalutedusinthemostfriendlymannerfromthefloororhadcomeintothediplomaticgallerytowelcomeus;andthattherewasnottheslightestshadowofreasonforthestatement。Asanexampleofthegeniusshowninsomeofthesetelegrams，anothermaybementioned。A
　　verycharmingAmericanlady，nieceofamemberofMr。McKinley’scabinet，havingarrivedontheNorwegiancoast，herchildrenweretakenonboardtheyachtoftheEmperor，whowasthencruisinginthoseregions;andlater，ontheirarrivalatBerlin，theywiththeirfatherandmotherwereaskedbyhimtothepalacetomeethisownwifeandchildren。AfewdaysafterwardatelegramwaspublishedinAmericatotheeffectthattheEmperor，inspeakingtoMrs。Whiteandmyselfregardingthechildren，hadsaidthathewasespeciallysurprised，becausehehadalwaysunderstoodthatAmericanchildrenwerebadlybroughtupandhadverybadmanners。
　　Thesimplefactwasthat，whilehespokeofthechildrenwithpraise，therestofthestorywasmerelyasensationalinvention。
　　OneofthemarvelsofAmericanlifeisthetolerationbydecentfathersandmothersofsensationalnewspapersintheirhouseholds。Ofallthedemoralizinginfluencesuponourpeople，andespeciallyuponouryoungpeople，theyarethemoststeadilyandpervasivelydegrading。HoraceGreeleyoncepublishedatractateentitled，"NewThemesfortheClergy，"andIwouldsuggesttheevilinfluenceofsensationnewsmongeringasamostfruitfulthemefortheexhortationsofallAmericanclergymentotheirflocks，whetherCatholic，Jewish，orProtestant。Maywenothope，also，thatMr。Pulitzer’snewCollegeofJournalismwillgivecarefulattentiontothissubject？
　　Astopublicquestionsthendemandingattention，thefirstwhichInowrecallwasabitofinternationalcomedy，servingasapreludetomoreimportantmatters，andworthmentioninghereonlyasshowingamisconceptionveryabsurd，yetnotwithoutdangers。
　　Onemorning，asIhadjustsatdowntomyofficework，therewasusheredin，withdueceremony，ayounggentlemanoflightcolor，Parisiantothetipsofhisfingers，——inaccent，manner，andgarb，——whowasannouncedasthecharged’affairesofHaiti。Hewasevidentlyunderdeepconcern，andwassooninthemidstofasomewhatimpassionedstatementofhisbusiness。
　　Itappearedthathisgovernment，likesomanywhichhadprecededit，afterajoyouscareerofproclamations，revolutions，throat—cutting，confiscation，papermoney，andloans，publicandprivate，hadatlastmetacheck，andthatinthisinstancethecheckhadcomeintheshapeofaGermanfrigatewhichhaddroppedintotheharborofPort—au—Prince，runoutitsguns，anddemandedredressofinjuriesandpaymentofdebtstoGermanyandGermansubjects;andthecharge，afterdwellingupontheenormityofsuchademand，pointedoutthedutyoftheUnitedStatestoobligeGermanytodesist，——inshort，toasserttheMonroeDoctrineasheunderstoodit。
　　Theyoungdiplomatist’sstatementinterestedmemuch;itbroughtbackvividlytomymindthedayswhen，asacommissionerfromtheUnitedStates，IlandedatPort—au—Prince，observedthewreckandruincausedbyarecentrevolution，experiencedthebeautiesofapaper—moneysystemcarriedoutsologicallythatamarket—basketfullofcurrencywasneededtobuyamarket—basketfullofvegetables，visitedthetombsofthepresidentsfromwhichthebodiesoftheiroccupantshadbeentornandscattered，sawtheringtowhichPresidentSalnavehadrecentlybeentiedwhenthesupportersofhissuccessorhadmurderedhim，andmusedovertheruinsofthepresidentialmansion，whichhadbeentorninpiecesbybombsfromapatrioticvessel。Myheartnaturallywarmedtowardtherepresentativeofsomuchglory，anditseemedsadtoquenchhisoratoricalfireandfervorwithacoldstatementoffact。Butmydutywasplain:IassuredhimthatneitherthePresidentwhosenamethefamous"Doctrine"bears，northeSecretaryofStatewhodevisedit，northeAmericanpeoplebehindthem，hadanyideaofprotectingoursisterrepublicsinsuchconductasthatofwhichtheGermanscomplained;andIconcludedbyferventlyexhortinghimtoadvisehisgovernmentandpeoplesimplyto——paytheirdebts。
　　Itgavemepleasuretolearn，somewhatlater，thatthisveryprosaicsolutionofthedifficultyhadbeenadopted。
　　ImakehastetoaddthatnothingwhichmaybesaidhereorelsewhereintheserecollectionsregardingsundryequatorialgovernmentshasanyreferencetooursisterrepublicsofSouthAmericareallyworthyofthename。NocountrieswereinmytimemoreadmirablyrepresentedatBerlinthantheArgentineRepublic，Chile，andBrazil。Thefirst—namedsentasitsministerthemosteminentlivingauthorityoninternationallaw;thesecond，agentlemandeeplyrespectedforcharacterandability，whosehouseholdwasoneofthemostbeautifulandattractiveIhaveeverknown;andthethird，astatesmanandscholarworthyofthebesttraditionsofhiscountry。
　　Astomorecomplicatedinternationalmatterswithwhichmyembassyhadtodeal，thefirsttoassumeavirulentformwasthatoftheSamoanIslands。
　　Duringtheprevioustwenty—fiveyearstheUnitedStates，Germany，andGreatBritainhadseemedtodevelopequalclaimsinSamoa。
　　Therehadbeenclashesfromtimetotime，inwhichgoodsensehadgenerallyprevailed;butinonecaseacyclonewhichdestroyedtheGermanandAmericanvesselsofwarinthemainportoftheislandsseemedprovidentialinpreventingaworseformoftrouble。
　　Butnowthechronicdifficultiesbecameacute。IntheconsulsofthethreepowerswhatBismarckusedtocallthefurorconsulariswasdevelopedtothehighestdegree。Yetthiswasnottheworst。
　　UndertheBerlinagreement，madesomeyearsbefore，therewasaGermanpresidentofthemunicipalityofApiawithill—definedpowers，andanAmericanchiefjusticewithpowersinsomerespectsenormous，andeachofthesenaturallymagnifiedhisofficeattheexpenseoftheother。Tocompletetheelementsofdiscord，thereweretwogreatnativeparties，eachsupportingitscandidateforkingship;andbehindthese，littlespokenof，butreallyatthebottomofthemaintrouble，weremissionaries，——EnglishWesleyansononeside，andFrenchRomanCatholicsontheother，——eachdesiringtosavethesoulsofthenatives，nomatteratwhatsacrificeoftheirbodies。
　　Thistea—potsoonbegantoboilviolently。Theoldkinghavingdied，thequestionaroseastothesuccession。Thepowerofappointingthesuccessorhavingbeeninthemostclearanddefinitetermsbestowedbythetreatyuponthechiefjustice，henamedforthepositionMalietoaTanu，ayoungchieftainwhohadbeeninducedtocallhimselfaProtestant;butontheothersidewasMataafa，anoldchiefwhoyearsbeforehadmademuchtrouble，hadbeenespeciallyobnoxioustotheGermans，andhadbeenbanished，buthadbeenrecentlyallowedtoreturnonhistakingoaththathewouldabstainfromallpoliticalaction，andwouldbetruetohisallegiancetotheMalietoankings。HehadbeeninducedtocallhimselfaCatholic。
　　Buthardlyhadhereturnedwhen，havingapparentlybeenabsolvedfromhisoath，hebecametheleaderofapoliticalpartyandinsistedonhisrighttothekingship。
　　Theresultwasapettycivilwarwhichcostmanylives。Norwasthisall。AdrunkenSwisshavingonedayamusedhimselfbybreakingthewindowsoftheAmericanchiefjustice’scourtandnoeffectivepunishmenthavingbeenadministeredbytheGermanpresidentofApia，theYankeechiefjusticetookthematterintohisownhands，andthisLittlePedlingtonbusinesssetinmotionsensation—mongersthroughouttheworld。Theyexertedthemselvestopersuadetheuniversethatwarmight，andindeedoughtto，resultbetweenthethreegreatnationsconcerned。OnthearrivaloftheAmericanAdmiralKautz，hesimplyandnaturallysupportedthedecreewhichthechiefjusticehadmade，instrictaccordancewiththetreatyofBerlin，andwasfinallyobligedtofireupontheinsurgents。Nowcameanewspapercarnival:screamsofwrathfromthesensationpressofGermanyandyellsofdefiancefromthesensationpressoftheUnitedStates。
　　Itwasfortunate，indeed，thatatthisperiodtheAmericanSecretaryofStatewasMr。JohnHayandtheGermanministerofforeignaffairsCountvonBulow。BothatWashingtonandBerlinthelightofplaincommonsensewasgraduallyletintothisjungleofhalftruthsandwholefalsehoods;theappointmentofanexcellentspecialcommission，whosupplantedalltheofficialsintheislandsbynewmen，solvedvariouspreliminaryproblems，sothatfinallyatreatywasmadebetweenthethreenationsconcernedwhichsweptawaytheoldvicioussystem，partitionedtheislandsbetweentheUnitedStatesandGermany，givingGreatBritainindemnityelsewhere，andsettledallthequestionsinvolved，aswemayhope，forever。
　　AmongmydutiesandpleasuresduringthisperiodwasattendanceuponimportantdebatesintheImperialParliament。Thatbodypresentsmanyfeaturessuggestiveofthought。ThearrangementunderwhichtheSenate，representingthevariousstatesoftheempire，andtheHouse，representingthepeopleasawhole，sitfacetofaceinjointdeliberation，strikesanAmericanasespeciallycurious;butitseemstoworkwell，andhasoneadvantageinbringingthemosteminentservantsofthevariousstatesintodirectpersonalrelationswiththerankandfilefromthecountryatlarge。TheGermanParliamenthasvariousgoodpoints。SomeonehasassertedthattheUnitedStatesSenateisasmuchbetterthantheBritishHouseofLordsastheBritishHouseofCommonsisbetterthantheAmericanHouseofRepresentatives。
　　Thereismuchtobesaidforthiscontention，andtherearesomepointsinwhichtheGermanParliamentalsostruckmeasanimprovementuponourLowerHouse:theydolessthanweincommittee，andmoreinthemainassemblage;Germanmembersaremoreattentivetotheworkinhand，andspread—eagleismandspeechestothegallerieswhicharetoleratedatWashingtonarenottoleratedatBerlin。Ontheotherhand，themembersatBerlin，notbeingpaidfortheirservices，absentthemselvesinsuchnumbersthatthelackofasufficientdeliberatingbodyhasbeenfound，attimes，aseriousevil。
　　Astomenprominentindebate，allusionhasalreadybeenmadetothechancellor，andvariousministersofthecrownmightbeadded，ofwhomIshouldgivetheforemostplacetotheministeroftheinterior，CountPosadowski。Hisdiscussionsofallmatterstouchinghisdepartment，and，indeed，ofsomewelloutsideit，weremasterly。Save，perhaps，ourownSenatorJohnSherman，I
　　haveneverheardsoUSEFULaspeakeronfundamentalquestionsofpublicbusiness。Astotherepresentatives，thereweremanywellworthlisteningto;butthetwowhoattractedmostattentionwereRichter，theheadofthe"Progressist，"or，asweshouldcallit，theradicalfraction，andBebel，themainrepresentativeoftheSocialists。RichterIhadheardmorethanonceinmyolddays，andhadbeenimpressedbyhisextensiveknowledgeofimperialfinance，hiswitandhumor，hisskillinmakinghispoints，andhisstrengthinenforcingthem。Hewasamongthefewstillremainingaftermylongabsence，anditwascleartomethathehadnotdeteriorated，——thathehad，indeed，mellowedinawaywhichmadehimevenmoreinterestingthanformerly。AstoBebel，thoughgenerallydisappointingatfirst，hewasquitesure，ineveryspeech，toraisesomepointwhichputtheconservativesontheirmettle。Hisstrongestcharacteristicseemstobehisearnestness:theearnestnessofamanwhohashimselfknownwhatthehardeststruggleforexistenceis，andwhatitmeanstosufferforhisopinions。Hisweakestpointseemstobeatendencytoexaggerationwhichprovokesdistrust;but，despitethis，hehasbeenapotentforceasanirritantindrawingattentiontotheneedsoftheworking—classes，andsoinpromotingthatsteadyupliftingoftheirconditionandprospectswhichisoneofthemoststrikingachievementsofmodernGermany。
　　AmongthemanyothermembersinterestingonvariousaccountswasonetowhombothGermansandAmericansmightwelllistenwithrespect——HerrTheodorBarth，editorof"DieNation，"arepresentativeofthebesttraditionsoftheoldNationalLiberalparty。HeseemedtomeoneoftheveryfewGermanswhoreallyunderstoodtheUnitedStates。HehadvisitedAmericamorethanonce，andhadremainedlongenoughtogetintouchwithvariousleadersofAmericanthought，andtopenetratebelowthemeresurfaceofpublicaffairs。Devotedashewastohisownfatherland，heseemedtofeelintuitivelytheimportancetobothcountriesofaccentuatingpermanentpointsofagreementratherthantransientpointsofdifference;henceitwasthatinhispaperhesteadilydidusjustice，andinParliamentwassuretorepelanyunmeritedassaultuponournationalcharacterandpolicy。Hewasclearandforcible，with，attimes，amosteffectivelycausticutteranceagainstunreason。
　　WhilethewholeparliamentarybodyissuggestivetoanAmerican，theParliamentbuildingisespeciallysuggestivetoaNew—Yorker。
　　ThisgreatedificeatBerlinisconsiderablylargeronthegroundthanistheStateCapitolatAlbany。Itisbuiltofaverybeautifulanddurablestone，and，inspiteofsundrycriticismsonthedomeinthecenterandthepavilionsatthecorners，isvastlysuperior，asawhole，totheAlbanybuilding。Itisenrichedinallparts，withoutandwithin，withsculpturerecallingthehistoricalgloriesofallpartsoftheempireandcalculatedtostirpatrioticpride;itisbeautifiedbypaintingsonagreatscalebyeminentartists;itsinteriorfittings，instone，marble，steel，bronze，andoak，areasbeautifulandperfectastheartoftheperiodhasbeenabletomakethem;andthewhole，despiteminorarchitecturalfaults，isworthyofthenation。Thebuildingwascompletedandinusewithintenyearsfromthetimeofitsbeginning。TheconstructionoftheState—houseatAlbany，abuildingnotsolarge，andcontainingto—daynoworkofarteitherinpaintingorsculptureworthyofnotice，hasdraggedalongduringthirtyyears，andcostnearlyfourtimesasmuchastheBerlinedifice;thelatterhavingdemandedanoutlayofatrifleoverfivemilliondollars，andtheformerconsiderablyovertwentymillions。
　　TheGermanParliamentHouse，apartfromslightdefects，asagreatarchitecturalcreationisinastyleworthyofitspurpose——astylewhichispreservedinallitsparts;whilethatatAlbanyis，perhaps，themostcuriousjumbleinthewholehistoryofarchitecture，——thelowerstoriesbeingPalladian;thestoriesabovethesebeing，ifanything，Florentine;thesummitbeing，ifanything，FrenchRenaissance;while，asregardstheinterior，thegreatweststaircase，whichissaidtohavecosthalfamillionofdollars，isintheRichardsonesquestyle;theeasternstaircaseisinclassicstyle;andacircularstaircaseintheinteriorisinthemostflamboyantGothicwhichcouldbegotformoney。Tobesure，thereareroomsatAlbanyonwhichpreciousSienamarbleandMexicanonyxarelavished，buttheseareusedsoastoproducemainlytheeffectofanunintelligentdesiretospendmoney。
　　WhileinorneartheBerlinedificethereiscommemorationbysculptureorpaintingofamultitudeofmeritoriouspublicservants，thereisnowhereinthewholebuildingatAlbanyastatueoranyfitremembranceofthetwogreatestgovernorsinthehistoryoftheState，DeWittClintonandWilliamH。Seward。
　　Thewholethingplungesoneintoreflection。IfthatsinglebuildingatAlbany，whichwasestimated，uponplanscarefullymadebythebestofarchitects，tocostfivemillionsofdollars，andtobecompletedinfouryears，requiredoverthirtyyearsandanexpenditureofovertwentymillions，whatisagreat"bargecanal"tocost，runningthroughthewholelengthoftheState，encounteringenormousdifficultiesofeverysort，estimatedatthebeginningtocostonehundredmillionsofdollars，butincludingnoestimatefor"landdamages，""waterdamages，"
　　"personaldamages，""unprecedentedfloods，""unforeseenobstacles，""quicksands，""changesofplan，"etc。，etc。，whichhaveplayedsuchacostlyandcorruptingpartinthepasthistoryofourexistingNewYorkcanals？Andhowmanyyearswillittaketocompleteit？ThiswasthetrainofthoughtandthiswasitsresultantqueryforceduponmewheneverIlookedupontheParliamentHouseatBerlin。
　　CHAPTERXLI
　　AMERICA，GERMANY，ANDTHESPANISHWAR——1897—1903
　　DuringtheearlydaysofthissecondofficialstayofmineatBerlin，Russiahad，inonewayandanother，securedanentranceintoChinaforhertrans—Siberianrailway，andseemedtohavetakenpermanentpossessionofthevastregionextendingfromherownterritorytothePacificatPortArthur。Germanyfollowedthisexample，and，inavengingthemurderofcertainmissionaries，tookpossessionoftheharborofKiao—Chau。Therebyothernationswerestirredtodolikewise，——England，France，andItalybeginningtomoveforextensionsofterritoryorcommercialadvantages，untilitlookedmuchasifChinawastobeparceledoutamongthegreaterEuropeanpowers，oratleastheldincommercialsubjection，totheexclusionofthosenationswhichhadpursuedamoredilatorypolicy。
　　Seeingthisdanger，ourgovernmentinstructeditsrepresentativesatthecourtsofthegreatpowerstorequestthemtojoininadeclarationinfavorofan"open—doorpolicy"inChina，thusestablishingvirtuallyaninternationalagreementthatnoneofthepowersobtainingconcessionsorcontrolling"spheresofinfluence"inthatcountryshouldsecureprivilegesinfringingupontheequalityofallnationsincompetingforChinesetrade。
　　ThispolicywaspushedwithvigorbytheWashingtoncabinet，andIwasinstructedtosecure，ifpossible，theassentoftheGermanGovernment，which，aftervariousconferencesattheForeignOfficeandcommunicationswiththeministerofforeignaffairs，somemore，someless，satisfactory，Iwasatlastabletodo。Theassentwasgivenveryguardedly，butnotthelesseffectively。
　　ItstermswerethatGermany，havingbeenfromthefirstinfavorofequalrightstoallnationsinthetradeofChina，wouldgladlyacquiesceintheproposeddeclarationiftheotherpowersconcernedwoulddoso。
　　TheEmperorWilliamhimselfwasevenmoreopenanddirectthanhisminister。Athisdinnertotheambassadorsinthespringof1900，hespoketomeveryfullyonthesubject，and，inaconversationwhichIhavereferredtoelsewhere，assuredmeofhiscompleteandheartyconcurrenceintheAmericanpolicy，declaring，"Wemuststandtogetherfortheopendoor。"
　　Finally，onthe9thofApril，1900，IhadthesatisfactionofsendingtotheGermanForeignOfficetheproofsthatalltheotherpowersconcerned，includingJapan，hadjoinedintheAmericandeclaration，andthatthegovernmentoftheUnitedStatesconsideredthisacquiescencetobefullandfinal。
　　ItwasreallyagreatservicerenderedtotheworldbyMr。
　　McKinleyandSecretaryHay;theiractionwasfarseeing，prompt，bold，andsuccessful。
　　YetanothersubjectofcontentionwastheexclusionofsundryAmericaninsurancecompaniesfromGermany，dueinparttoapolicyof"protection，"butalsotothatsamedistrustofcertainAmericanbusinessmethodswhichhadgivenmemuchtroubleindealingwiththesamequestionatSt。Petersburg。Thediscussionswerelongandtedious，butresultedinasortofmodusvivendilikelytoleadtosomethingbetter。
　　TheAmericansugardutieswerealsoasoresubject。VariouswritersintheGermanpressandoratorsinpublicbodiescontinuedtoinsistthatAmericahadviolatedthetreaties;
　　Americainsistedthatshehadnot;andthistrouble，becomingchronic，aggravatedallothers。ThemaineffortsofCountvonBulowandmyselfweregiventoallayinginflammationbydosesofcommonsenseandpoulticesofgood—willuntilcommonsensecouldassertitsrights。
　　Theeverlastingmeatquestionalsowentthroughvariousvexatiousphases，givingrisetobitterarticlesinthenewspapers，inflammatoryspeechesinParliament，andmeasuresinvariouspartsoftheempirewhich，whilesometimeshonest，werealwaysinjurious。AmericanproductswhichhadbeeninspectedintheUnitedStatesandHamburgwereagainbrokeninto，inspected，andreinspectedinvarioustownstowhichtheyweretakenforretail，withtheresultthatthepackagesweredamagedorspoiled，andthecostsofinspectionandreinspectionateupallprofits。I
　　onceusedanillustrationofthisattheForeignOfficethatseemedtoproducesomeeffect。ItwasthestoryoftheYankeeshowmanwho，havingbeenverysuccessfulinourNorthernandMiddleStates，tookhisshowtotheSouth，butwhenhereturnedhadevidentlybeenstrippedofhismoney。Beingaskedregardingit，hesaidthathisshowhadpaidhimwellatfirst，butthatonarrivinginTexastheauthoritiesofeachlittlevillageinsistedonholdinganinquestoverhisEgyptianmummy，charginghimcoroner’sfeesforit，andthatthishadmadehimabankrupt。
　　Speeches，bitterandlong，weremadeonbothsidesoftheAtlantic;thecablebroughtreportsofdrasticreprisalspreparinginWashington;butfinallyasystemwasadoptedtowhichthetradebetweenthetwocountrieshassincebeenuneasilytryingtoadjustitself。
　　Thentherewassprunguponusthefruitquestion。OnemorningcameastormoftelegramsandlettersstatingthatcargoesofAmericanfruitshadbeenstoppedintheGermanharbors，underthechargethattheycontainedinjuriousinsects。TheGermanauthoritieswereofcoursehonestinthisprocedure，thoughtheyweredoubtlessstimulatedtoitbysundryrepresentativesoftheland—owningclass。Ourbeautifulfruits，especiallythoseofCalifornia，hadcometobeveryextensivelyusedthroughouttheempire，andtheGermanconsumershadbeengrowingmoreandmorehappyandtheGermanproducersmoreandmoreunhappyoverthisfact，whensuddenlytherecamefromtheAmericansideaccountsofthescale—insectsdiscoveredonpearsinCalifornia，andofseveremeasurestakenbysundryotherStatesofourUniontoprohibittheirimportation。TheresultwasaprohibitionofourfruitsinGermany，andthiswascarriedsofarthatnotonlypearsfromCalifornia，butallotherfruits，fromallotherpartsofthecountry，wereatfirstputundertheban;andnotonlyfreshbutdriedandpreservedfruits。Asamatteroffact，therewasnodangerwhateverfromthescale—insect，sofarasfruitwasconcerned。Thecreatureneverstirsfromthespotonthepeartowhichitfastensitself，andthereforebynopossibilitycanitbecarriedfromthehousewherethefruitisconsumedtothenurserieswheretreesaregrown。Wetookpainstoshowthefactsinthecase;dealingfairlyandopenlywiththeGermanGovernment，allowingthattheimportationofscale—infestedtreesandshrubsmightbedangerous，andmakingnoobjectiontoanyfairmeasuresregardingthese。TheForeignOfficewasreasonable，andgraduallythemostvexatiousoftheseprohibitionswereremoved。
　　ButthewarwithSpaindrewon，andanimosities，sofarasthepressonbothsidesofthewaterwasconcerned，grewworse。
　　VariousnewspapersinGermanychargedourgovernmentwithawonderfulassortmentofhighcrimesandmisdemeanors;but，happily，intheireagernesstocoveruswithobloquy，theyfrequentlyrefutedeachother。ThustheyonedaychargeduswithhavingpreparedlongbeforehandtocrushSpainandtorobherofherWestIndianpossessions，andthenextdaytheychargeduswithplungingintowarsuddenly，recklessly，utterlycarelessoftheconsequences。OnemomenttheyinsistedthatAmericansailorsbelongedtoadeterioratedraceofmongrels，andcouldneverstandagainstpure—bloodedSpanishsailors;andthenextmoment，thatwewerecrushingthenoblenavyofSpainbybruteforce。
　　Variouspressesindulgedinmalignantprophecies:theAmericanswouldfindSpainaveryhardnuttocrack;SpanishsoldierswoulddrivetheAmericanmongrelsintothesea;whenCerveragotoutwithhisfleet，theAmericanfleetwouldslinkaway;Spanishships，beingbuiltunderthesafeguardofSpanishhonor，mustwinthevictory;Americanships，builtunderaregimeofcorruption，wouldbefoundfurnishedwithshamplating，shamguns，andshamsuppliesofeverysort。ItallremindedmeofsundrypropheciesweusedtohearbeforeourCivilWartotheeffectthat，whentheNorthernandSouthernarmiescameintothepresenceofeachother，theYankeesoldierswouldtradeofftheirmusketstothefoe。
　　AgainstPresidentMcKinleyeverysortofiniquitywascharged。
　　Onedayhewasanidiot;anotherday，themostcunningofintriguers;atonemoment，anoverbearingtyrantanxioustorushintowar;atanother，acowardfearingwar。ItmustbeconfessedthatthiswasmainlydrawnfromtheAmericanpartizanpress;butitwas，nonetheless，hardtobear。
　　InthemeantimePresidentMcKinley，hiscabinet，andtheAmericandiplomaticcorpsinEuropedideverythingintheirpowertopreventthewar。JustaslongaspossiblethePresidentclearlyconsideredthathismainclaimonposteritywouldbeformaintainingpeaceagainstpressureandclamor。UnderordersfromtheStateDepartmentImetatParismyoldfriendGeneralWoodford，whowasonhiswaytoSpainasministeroftheUnitedStates，andGeneralPorter，theAmericanambassadortoFrance，ourinstructionsbeingtoconferregardingthebestmeansofmaintainingpeace;andweallagreedthateverythingpossiblebedonetoallaytheexcitementinSpain;thatnoclaimsofaspecialsort，whetherpecuniaryorotherwise，shouldbeurgeduntilafterthetensionceased;thateveryconcessionpossibleshouldbemadetoSpanishpride;andthat，justasfaraspossible，everythingshouldbeavoidedwhichcouldcomplicatethegeneralissuewithpersonalconsiderations。Allofusknewthatthegreatestwishoftheadministrationwastopreventthewar，or，ifthatprovedimpossible，todelayit。
　　Foryears，incommonwiththegreatmajorityofAmericancitizens，IhadbelievedthattheSpanishWestIndiesmustbreakloosefromSpainsomeday，buthadhopedthatthequestionmightbeadjourneduntilthemiddleorendofthetwentiethcentury。
　　ForIknewwellthattheseparationofCubafromSpainwouldbefollowed，afternogreatlengthoftime，byeffortsforherannexationtotheUnitedStates，andthatifsuchannexationofCubashouldeveroccur，shemustcomeinasaState;thatthereisnouseinconsideringanyotherformofgovernmentforanoutlyingdominionsolargeandsonear;thatthereisnootherwayofannexingadependencysofullydeveloped，andthat，eveniftherewere，therivalryofpoliticalpartiescontendingforelectoralvoteswouldbesuretoinsistongivingherstatehood。
　　Idreadedtheadditiontoourcountryofamillionandahalfofcitizenswhoseabilitytogovernthemselveswasexceedinglydoubtful，tosaynothingofhelpingtogovernourUniononthemainland。ThethoughtofsenatorsandrepresentativestobechosenbysuchaconstituencytoresideatWashingtonandtolegislateforthewholecountry，filledmewithdismay。
　　EspeciallywastheadmissionofCubatostatehoodafearfulprospectjustatthattime，whenwehadsomanydifficultquestionstomeetintheexerciseofthesuffrage。Inevercouldunderstandthen，andcannotunderstandnow，whatSenatorMorganofAlabama，whooncehadthereputationofbeingthestrongestrepresentativefromtheSouth，couldbethinkingofwhenhewasdeclaimingintheSenate，firstinbehalfofthe"oppressedCubans，"andnextinfavorofmeasureswhichtendedtoaddthemtotheUnitedStates，andsotocreateavastcommonwealthlargelymadeupofnegroesandmulattosaccustomedtoequalitywiththewhites，almostwithinmusket—shotofthenegroesandmulattosoftheSouth，fromwhomtheconstituentsofMr。Morganwereatthatverymomentwithholdingtherightofsuffrage。I
　　couldnotseethen，andIcannotseenow，howhecouldpossiblybeblindtothefactthatifCubaeverbecomesaStateofourUnion，shewillsoonbegintolookwithsympathyonthosewhomshewillconsiderher"oppressedcoloredbrethren"intheSouth;
　　andthatshewill，justasinevitably，makecommoncausewiththematWashington，andperhapsinsomeotherplaces，andpossiblynotalwaysbymeanssopeacefulasoratingundertheroofoftheCapitol。