Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1898-05-12
THE SPOILS OF WAR.

Islands as conquered territory Is ex-
citing good deal of discussion
throughout the civilized world. In
view OF the importance of the ques-
ton, the following kilograms to the
New York World, under date OF May
10th, will prove interesting:
Sir Charles Dixie, when asked
whether any question Of mterndtion-
al law Or practice affected the United
States right to retain the PHILIPPINES
said:
"None whatever. The States Will
hold the PHILIPPINES by the right of
conquest. No power or powers will
have the slightest title to interfere"
@But may not some power, Ger
many or France, for instance, bring
pressure to bear ON the United States
to surrender them?"
That idea Of continental pressure
regard as moonshine. No power
would attempt pressure unless we
were in the same boat with them,
which we never will be. Without
English naval support no power will
venture upon any action in the mat
ter"
"Do yon consider that the United
States should retain possession of the
Philippines"
"Ceriainly | do. The only altern-
atives are some kind Of autonomous
republican government, which would
need so much American protection
that the United States might as we'll
hold the islands themselves. Then
there is handing them off to Japan;
but that would excite the opposition
of public sentiment IN the United
States, Japan being pagan nation.
Another alternative is returning the IN
to Spain. But that, too, would excite
serious opposition in the United
States and may be dismissed as out
of the question"
Sir Henry Howarth, NJ. p, lead
ing authority on foreign politics and
international law, sad:
al have no hesitation in saying that
the United States have perfect
right to keep the PHILIPPINES. and
under the circumstances, it would be
both wise and proper for the United
States t@ keep them. There is not a
consideration of international law
that could in any way fctter the
United Stntcs in It's absolute diacre.
ton in the matter. There is no third
party involved. The islands were
discovered by Spain and her s0ver.
eighty has never been in dispute. by
the right OF conquest, therefore
Ameri ;a's position Is indisputable
and all the members OF pariamen,
who are authorities, to whom / nave
spoken, agree that the United State.
should not give them up"
Spain found it impossible to govern
them in the past and would find the
difficulty still greater in the future
Should the United States annex Fla
wall together with the PHILIPPINES
these wOuLi constitute two ma.:niii
cent bases. giving the United State.
immense power i'll the Pacific, wmci
l always hoped they wouli achicv
III the interests of civilization anc
cOmn"rr".'
Gui.!o racrlli, Tho celebrated ItaI
ian Statesman and coming Premier
in discuss ~: this question says:
"Amcri "a shout keep the Philli
pines Iirst, because from the stand
point oF international law che Ina
the right of conquest. and sccondl,
from the standpoint Of policy. Tn
United States Is the only power whicl
can now have them, as they SHOULD
not be reccdcd to Spain, which, be
ing without fleet and finances, TN
islands would become bono of con
tentiop for the European powers
thereby precipitatmg the far Gus
conflict.