The herald., 1898-05-11
TALK OF INTERVENTION
Is MERE MoONsHINE IN THE
OPINION OF dixie
THE WISE AND PROPER THING
Is for the United States to Keep the
Philippines and Govern Them
Decently

Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK. May 10.-A dispatch to the
World from London says:
Sir Charles Dixie, when asked whether
any question Of international law or prac-
tice affected the United States right to
retain the Philippines, said:
"None whatever. The United States will
hold the Philippines by right of conquest.
No power or powers will have the slightest
right to interfere"
'But may not some power, Germany Or
France, for instance, bring pressure to bear
on the United States to surrender them?"
"That idea of continental pressure I re-
gard as moonshine No power would at
tempt to interfere. Without English naval
support, no power will venture UPON any &C.
ton in the matter"
'Do you consider that the United States
should retain possession Of the Philip
pines?"
Certainly I do. The only alternatives
are some kind of autonomous republican
government, which would need so much
American protection that the United States
might as well hold the islands themselves.
Then there is the alternative of handing
the opposition Of public sentiment in the
United States. Japan being 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 out of the question
Sir Henry Howarth M. p, leading au-
thority on foreign politics and information.
al law, said:
II have no hesitation in saying that the
United States has a perfect right to keep
the Philippines, and under the circum-
stances it would be both wise and proper
for the United States to keep them. There
is not consideration of international law
that could in any way fetter the United
States in its absolute discretion in the mat
ter. There is no third party involved. The
islands were discovered by Spain and her
sovereignty has never been in dispute BY
the right Of conquest, therefore, America g
position is indisputable and all the mem-
bers of parliament who are authorities, to
whom have spoken, agree that the United
States should not give the Philippines up. =
An italian Opinion
NEW YORK, May 10.-A dispatch to the
World from Rome says:
Guindo Bacelli, the celebrated states-
man and the coming premier, in an inter-
view says:
America should keep the Philippines,
first, because. from the standpoint OF in
ternational law, she has the right of con-
quest. and, secondly, from the standpoint
Of policy.
1.-THE United States is the only power
which can now have them, as they should
not be re-ceded to Spain, which, being
without fleet and without finances, the
islands would become bone of contention
for the European powers, thereby pre-
cipitating the Far Eastern conflict II
ceded to England 1t would be considered
by Russia and Germany as casus belE,
as destroying the equilibrium in the Far
East. The powers, therefore, in their
heart of hearts, hope that America will
keep them, as she is the only power capa-
BILE Of guaranteeing their neutrality and
is not suspected of designs of territorial
aggrandizement Besides great nation
with destiny like America must have a
fleet to protect her interests and shipping.
A fleet requires coaling stations apart from
the Philippines America can hope for no