The record-union., 1898-06-30
WILI. THERE BE AN INTERFER
ENCE?

expressed It's ITIl COlFlCtioh eiie@e ehNA
will be no interference in this war by
other nations. We have not been moved
from that judgment, since nations must
at least have a pretext for an act OF
war. and interference in this case would
be a rupture Of peaceable relations
without the shadow of reason.
But the news dispatches, and the let
ters of correspondents at Manila, in
European capitals and at war centers,
continue to deal gravely with the fear
that Germany may interfere at Ma
Mia, and this, despite che fact that the
German Government has repeatedly as
sured our Government by semi official
expressions, that it entertains no notion
of interference and will do nothing to
disturb the neutral attitude of the Gov
ernment of the Emperor.
Let us see how matters stand. No
nation has the right to interfere be-
tween the United States and Spain ex-
eept to proffer its good offices. for the
negotiation of peace. Any interference
to disposses us of any gains of war
Mould be a hostile act. But the right
of neutral nations to rescue their peo-
pie from the dangers of bombardment
and remove them from the scene of an
expected battle is unquestioned; in
deed, it is desirable
AT Manila an insurgent leader, who
has gathered his forces since the Amer
3can flag was raised at Cavite on Phil
ippine soil, has declared the independ-
.ence of the rebels and attempted to set
Hp a form of government, protesting
fdr1endship for Americans all the while.
This insurgent leader, by nature treach-
erous and unreliable, though cour-
ageous and rightly rebelling, achieved
his success under shelter of American
guns, with arms and ammunition taken
from Cavite by consent of Admiral
Dewey. 1t is now said that overtures
are to be made by him to Germany
with its re-understanding, for the ex-
tension of protectorate over the ISL
ands, which he has not yet by any
means reduced to his control That
Spain would be privy to this arrange
ment and division of the spoils would
then be made between the three
We look upon this as incredible; still,
stranger things have happened in the
shuttle of nations. But we have a fleet
and several thousand troops at Manila.
We have, with the full knowledge and
without protest on the part of any of
the powers, raised our flag on Philip
pine aoil snd hold full possession of
the chief harbor of the archipelago.
We have destroyed the Spanish fleet
in that harbor, and exercised over it
all the functions Of sovereignty. In
the face Of these facts any attempt
on the part Of Germany to wrest the
possession and control from US, would
be an act Of war, and no cession by
Spain, no agreement with the insur-
gents could give the act the semblance
of defense
In 1894 the neutral powers did land
troops at Seoul, Corea, but not to oc-
cupy the land, simply to protect their
people, and neither Corea, japan nor
China raised objection to that act In
ISS2, when the British bombarded
Alexandria, an American commander
landed marines. protected our consul
ate and policed the European quarters
for its protection. But it was not a
matter of interference, and no power
protested or disapproved.
AT Manila a wholly different state OF
ic Il
ment as yet, no demand as yet by
Dewey for the surrender of the city
The insurgents have invested the town
and are withheld from taking it by or
der of Admiral Dewey. Under such
circumstances the American Admiral
would assuredly consent to the ships OF
any power, excepting Spain, landing
men TO remove subjects of such powers
and in case Of a bombardment, to land
forces to protect the consulates and the
property and lives Of foreigners from
rioters, thieves and injury by the VIC
tors.
These statements cover the whole
Held; there is nothing else involved
than the property and lives of foreign
peoples, that can at all concern any OF
the neutral powers whose ships are
gathered in front Of Manila.
What is there then politically that
may be worthy of consideration? Rus
sia could not be a gamer by German
occupation of Manila, even We're that
possible, and Dewey's resistance swept
aside. Russia has more warships and
men-at-arms in the Orient than has
Germany. Russia has a splendid naval
supply not far distant, with magnifi-
cent ship yards, arsenals and dry docks
and barracks packed with hardened
soldiers. For Russia to connive at Ger
man seizure would be to offend The
United States, which Government the
Gar processes to regard highly. and Ia
which he has just sent an accomplished
ambassador with words of amity and
profound sympathy, and protestations
of friendship.
Russia would not tolerate any trans
fer of part of the Philippines to japan,
She knows the islaLds are lost to
Spain. She would resent their dispo-
sition, or any part of them to Eng
land. She would better be content to
have US hold the Philippines than to
secure a harbor on the coast Of China
which the Brother of the Sun is dis
cod -