The times., 1898-08-08
THE PHILIPPINES.
european Powers Want America to
Retain the Islands

eople IN the corps diplomatique are
much exercised over the Philippine prob
lem; not, however, in the interests of
America or of Spain, but for themselves.
The question of American control OF the
Philippines and the propriety of submit
ting 10 the degree of ownership America
snail set up. is likely to become danger
Gus TO the peace of Europe if not ham
died with the utmost discretion. This is
the opinion of the representatives of at
least three of the most powerful nations
in the world. If England, Russia and
France had any say in the matter there
would be 10 commission to settle any
thing.
Such convention said an attache
OF an embassy greatly concerned in Asiat-
&c questions, will give Spain the oppor-
tunity she has not thus far been able to
find to make bad blood For instance.
there is one Spanish loan of 400, ,Oa0. 900 pc
setas. bearing 1-2 per cent, based di-
rectly on Cuba as security. Most of this
Is held in France and Austria
Spain being Roman Catholic coun-
try, the church all over Europe. but es-
pecially in France and Austria, recon-
mended the loan TO its CONGREGATIONS
and in many instances the funds on
which great charities were based had
very considerable sums invested in these
Cuban bonds.
This has been the real reason. if is
alleged for papal interference twice since
March l. 1t is a great pity America has
SHOWN any timidity in this matter of the
philippines or hestated for an instant 10
gather in the fruits of her conquest, &"
concluded the Englishman. who speaks
for his nation.
II is said that French sentiment agrees
with that of Russia and England in re-
gard to the danger of a commission deal
ing with a conquest which is the key to
the Eastern Asiatic waters
No matter how such commission
might decide" said an old and influential
member of leading embassy. nearly
all Europe would be displeased. We do
not want to have such case as this of
the Philippines used against US as a pre-
cedent. If your country is right in con-
senting to a surrender, then we of France
should release Madagascar Senegal and
Algeria. and England ought TO let go
Egypt
No, no; I do not know how you were
ever led into such a violation of the law
| that has stood for ten centuries that the
title won by the sword is the best of all
By it the Normans have held England
and the drumbeats of their descendants
re-echo around the world No wonder
| Germany feels offended. The conquest of
Alsace and Lorraine is too near for any
| unctuous high moral example to be agree
able
You see. nobody objects to America S
| keeping what she has gallantly won by
| the sword, said an attache who is kept
/ from his longed-for holiday Nobody
| but Spain can possibly be benefited by a
| convention touching what should be done
| with the Philippines. Suppose they were
! divided between the great naval powers
/ No division is possible that would make
| each ma atoms share equal. The great
| prizezis the island of Luzon and Manila
| Whoever got them would have the big
! gest slice of the Philippines group.
"The political equilibrium as arranged
| years ago by nations with interests in the
| East would be seriously disturbed. The
! wisest heads in Europe fear this very
| question may bring on that war which
/ has been the nightmare of monarchs and
/ the dread of statesmen for fifty years"