Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1898-05-13
THE sPo1Ls OF A

ASAA tAS
Islands as conquered territory ID ex-
citing a good deal Of discussion
throughout the civilized world. In
view Of the importance Of the ques'
ton, the following kilograms tn zke
New York World. under date Of May
10th, will prove interesting:
Sir Charles Dixie, when asked
whether any question Of information.
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 themf"
That idea OF continental pressure
l regard as moonshine. No power
would attempt pressure unless we
we're 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"
@Oo you consider that the United
States should retain possession Of the
Phillipinesf7~
Certainly l do. The only altern-
atives are some kind OF autonomous
republican government, which would
need so much American protection
that the United States might rs well
hold the islands themselves. Then
there is handing them of to Japan;
but that would excite the opposition
of public sentiment ill the United
States, Japan being n pagan nation.
Another alternative is returning them
to Spain. But that. too, would excite
serious opposition in the United
States and may be dismissed as ont
of the question"
Sir Henry Howarth, NJ. p, a lead.
ing authority on foreign politics and
international law, SAID:
IL have no hesitation in saying that
tho United States have a perfect
right to keep the PHILIPPINES, aud
under the circumstances, it would DO
both wise and proper for the United
States to keep them. There is not a
consideration OF international law
that could in any way tetter the
United States in Its absolute discre-
ton in the matter. There is no third
party involved. The islands were
discovered by Spain and her sover-
has never been in dispute. BY
the right OF conquest, therefore, |
Americas position Is indisputable, |
and all the members OF parliament
who are authorities, to whom | have
spoken, agree that the United States
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 Ha-
waii together with the PHILIPPINES,
these would constitute two magnif-
cent bases, giving the United States
immense power i'll the Pacific. winch
always hoped they would achieve
in the interests OF civilization and
Guido Pacelli, the celebrated Ital-
statesman and coming Premier,
in discussing this question says:
america should keep the Philli-
pines first, because from the stand
point Of international law she has
the right OF conquest, and secondly, |
from the standpoint OF policy. The
United Stales ID the only power which
a now have them, as they should
not be receded to Spain, which, be.
ing without n fleet and finances, the
islands would become u bone OF con-
tention for the European powers,
thereby precipitating the far east
conflict.
III coded to England il would be
considered by Russia and Germany
as a casus belli rs destroying the
equilibrium in the far East. Tho
powers, therefore. in their heart OF
hearts, hope that America will keep
the PHILIPPINES, Ms she ia the only
power capable Of guaranteeing their
neutrality and is not suspected OF de-
signs OF territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Besides, n great nation with destinics
like America must have n fleet to
protect her interests md shipping.
a ficot requires c~oaliug stations and,
apart from the PHILIPPINES, Americans
can hope Tor no c~onling in tho Paci-
tic. Tho present is Americans heaven.