Mr. Jackson to Mr. Hay.
Berlin, March 19, 1902.
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 1886, of the 12th instant, I have the honor to report that Prince Henry of Prussia arrived in Germany safely yesterday afternoon; that he was met at Cuxhaven by the German Emperor, and that he at once started for his home at Kiel. Captain Beehler, of the embassy, went to Cuxhaven to greet the Prince on his return, and I sent a congratulatory telegram to him to the same place, as response to the telegram sent by him to Mr. White just before he left New York.
In conversation at the foreign office yesterday, Baron Richthofen again referred to the Prince’s visit to the United States, and expressed his thanks for the hospitality and courtesies extended; and other people of all classes have spoken to me in similar terms. As already stated, in no responsible quarter is it anticipated that Prince Henry’s visit will have any definite political or commercial result, but confidence is felt that “it will bear beautiful flowers, if not fruit;” that the efforts of those opposed to our having closer relations with Germany will be less liable to do harm; that the transmission of news may be more direct, and the efforts to exaggerate the importance of every irresponsible, unfriendly statement may be discontinued; and that the consideration of international questions—political and economic—will be approached with mutual feelings of friendliness. Prince Henry’s visit has been described as the “rediscovery of [Page 425] America,” and one of its results has been to open the eyes of Germany generally to the growth and importance of the United States. Increased acquaintance with the United States is warmly advocated in important educational and industrial circles as being of reciprocal advantage, and it is probable that in the future many more Germans of “the better classes” will visit America as tourists than heretofore. A more intimate acquaintance with the United States and a better knowledge of our people, our institutions, and resources can not fail to be of advantage to Germany and the rest of Europe, and it is hard to see wherein it can be otherwise than beneficial to us as well.
I have, etc.,
P. S.—March 20, 1902. The following telegram was received by me from Prince Henry to-day from Kiel:
Pray accept for yourself and members of embassy my best thanks for the welcome on my return from the United States. Shall never forget the cordial and splendid hospitality I met with in your country and the kindness shown to me by the American people.