German warships underway to the Philippines to protect German interests there according to the Dutch newspaper Nieuwe Tilburgsche Coiurant dated 1 May 1898

An item reported that a part of the German squadron cruising in the Chinese waters was ordered to go Manila, Philippines to protect the German interests. The British cruiser HMS Immortalité followed the American fleet towards Manila.(1)

Note 
1. Spain and the USA were involved in a war between 25 April and 12 August 1898 which included the destroying of a Spanish squadron at Manila.