Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-11
THE Right OF CONQUEST.
Authorities Agree the United States
Should Keep the Philippines.
No Power Will Object The Idea OF
Continental Pressure is Ridiculed
by English statesraen, and Char
acterized as Moonshine = An
Italian Statesman Says the Pres
ent is Americas Heaven-Sent
Opportunity.

London, May 10.-Sir Charles Dixie,
when asked whether any question of in
ternational law or practice affected the
United States right to retain the Phi
lippines, 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.
That idea of continental pressure | re-
gard as all moonshine. No power would
attempt pressure unless we were in the
same boat with them, which We never
will be. Without English naval sup
port no power will venture upon any
action in the matter"
do you consider that the United
States should retain possession of the
Philippines?'
Certainly 7 do. The only alterna-
tiyes are some kind Of autonomous re-
publican government which would need
SO much American protection that the
United States might as well hold the
islands themselves"
do you think the general effect of
the United States retention of the Phi
lippines would be to bring nearer the
possibility of an Anglo-American alli-
ance?"
1t would increase their interests in
common, but / don't wish to say any
thing about the alliance idea, as l don't
believe there ever will be an alliance
between Great Britain and the United
States"
Sir Henry Howard, NJ p, leading
authority on foreign politics and inter-
national law, said:
Il have no hesitation in saying that
the United States has a perfect right to
keep the Philippines, and under the
circumstances it would be both wise
and proper There is not a consider
alton of international law that could in
any way fetter the United States in it's
absolute discretion in the matter There
is no third party involved. The islands
were discovered by Spain, and her SOW
ereignty has never been in dispute. BY
the right of conquest, therefore, Amer
lca's 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. Should the United States
annex Hawaii together with the Philip
pines, these would constitute two mag
nifcent bases, giving the United States
immense power in the Pacific, which
always hoped they would achieve in the
interests of civilization and commerce"
Rome, May 10.-Guido Bacelli, the
celebrated statesman, in an interview
said:
America should keep the Philip
pines, first, because from the standpoint
CT international law she has the right
of conquest, and, secondly, from the
standpoint of policy The United States
Is the only power which can now have
them, as they should not be receded to
Spain. which, being without fleet and
finances, the island would become res
derelicta-a bone of contention-for
the European powers. Besides, a great
nation with destinies like America has
must protect their interests and ship
ping. Apart from the Philippines
America can hope for no coaling sta
ton in the Pacific. The present is
Americas heaven-sent opportunity.