The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-01
ThePolicy
-Of the
Powers

discussing the possible consequences Of
the war from diplomatic standpoint,
said the other afternoon:
"There ID no intention ON the part of
the powers to obstruct In any way the
war with Spain 30 long as that war
lasts. There have been some movements
by Austria and France TO induce other
European powers 10 intervene the in
ducements being personal solicitude for
the queen regent on the part Of Austria
and the interests 81 the bondholders on
the part Of france. because the sooner
the war is stopped tho smaller the loss
of Spain viii be and the better the
bonds Of course The question was re-
fefred by the different governments to
their representatives in Washington and
has been repeatedly talked over here.
All of them, with the exception of the
Austrian minister, have advised their
governments that 1t would be unwise
and useless to interfere, Snd the under
standing has been reached that as long
as Spain and the United States are at
war there will be no intervention, un-
less one side or the other should get
tired, when some representations would
be made. No other power has been ask
ed to intervene or to mediate or to ten
der it's good Offices, but it makes no
difference. They will have their say ON
peace negotiations and tell the United
States what they think Is right and
what is necessary for their own inter-
ests.
IF the United States should show
any intention of annexing Spanish ter
ritory, with the exception Of Cuba, prob
ably there would be objection. But if
the United States should ask the pay
ment Of an indemnity from Spain that
would be considered perfectly just. If
the United States could say, we now
have in our possession Puerto Rico as
well as the Philippines. and we are go
ing to hold these islands until an in
demnity is paid, there would be no OBJ
lection. If che should say, Puerto Rico
is prize Of war, and we are going to an
mex il, there would be remonstrance In
behalf Of Spain on the part of the pow
ers, because the United States has de-
clared to all the world that its purpose
is not to acquire territory, that this Is
not war of conquest and that its sole
purpose is to relieve suffering humanity
In Cuba.
Suppose the United States insists
upon retaining Puerto Rico?"
IF England consents, that is O posi-
bility. If proper concessions are made to
the peacemakers they will consent.
Puerto Rico may be bone Of contention
between the United States and England,
but you may be certain that Spain will
appeal to the other powers to protest
against the annexation Of territory out
side Of Cuba, which is the object of the
war.
eff the United States should claim
that they have conquered the Philippines
and are entitled to dispose Of them like
ship or other captured property, the
other powers will probably not concede
such proposition. Admiral Dewey
went to Manila, destroyed the Spanish
feet and planted there the American
flag. This might suffice for a temporary
occupation, just as Wei-Hai-Wei was
occupied by the Japanese. The United
States could not claim the possession Of
the Philippines unless they conquered
them fully. Should the United States
claim that they owned the Philippines
and attempted to dispose of them for
some consideration to either England or
Japan there would at once be hostile
movement by the other powers-Russia
and France and Germany"
"Do you imagine that under any CIR
cumstances Germany and France could
become allies?"
In possible emergency, when their
interests are in peril. The disposition
of the Philippines could be settled by
the joint action Of these three powers,
thus creating an absolute alliance. Such
q possibility has been foreseen, and
there is precedent for it. The protest
against the treaty Of Sirnonoseki was
sort of test case. Russia, Germany
and France came together and forced
Japan out of Chinese territory very sue
cSssfully. That was an experiment.
"It might be well to call attention to
the fact that today in France the plans
of Napoleon for the invasion Of England
are still considered as q very precious
inheritance, just as they were so years
ago. 1t would be an easy matter for
France to send 200, 600 soldiers across
the channel to England and storm that
country The European powers would
simply stand by, figure up their account
with England and draw the balance.
No continental power has any desire TO
fight with the United States. They have
no plans about the disposition of tho
Philippines, but they do not deem it
feasible for tho United States to keep
them. Spain, they know, will never
get them back, but some other arrange
ment will have to be made. They might
be placed under a neutral power. like
Holland, which would be quite accept
able.
"No one thinks it advisable to make
the Philippines republic, because the
people are lot OK semisavagcs, who
cannot govern themselves, and an at