New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-13
"TO THE VICTORS BELONG THE SPOILS."

A rumor comes from London that Germany
Will demand voice in the final disposition OF
the Philippines. If true il Is most unwelcome
and unpleasant. 1t is always unpleasant 10 d!s-
appoint friendly Power. and anything that
compels such doing Is therefore unweicome
And that, II this rumor be true, which We are
rot yet by any means prepared TO believe
seems to be exactly what must happen a
semi-official German paper gives the report
denial In general terms, and 10 that denial rea-
son and friendship prompt the giving Of all pos
sible credit For II must be as evident az Der
lin as Mt Washington that the runored demand
II actually made could meet with no reply other
than a courteous but inhexibly positive refusal
Germany is no party to this war. She can be no
party to the settlement of terms Of peace. The
United States and Spain are alone concerned
II Spain wants advice from her European
neighbors she may get it. II she prefers to seek
peace negotiations through the friendly offices
of any one Of them. that plan may be consid-
ei ed by this Government. But that the Con
cert Of the Powes," or even any one Of the
Powers. shall be admitted as party to the
treaty OF peace and be permitted 10 dictate 10
the victor what disposition shall be made OF the
legitimate spoils Of war, is entirely too fantastic
for serious consideration.
There Is not only no warrant for any such In
reference in international law, but there Is
mono In equity or In practice American inter
ests In China are UNNECESSARILY greater than
any Germany has In the Philippines. But this
country did not demand a voice In Gerrnanys
disposition Of Kiao-Chau nor In the general par
titonng Of the empire which was then begun
Assuredly we have right to expect the same
forbearance on the part Of Germany at Manila.
This Nation trusts to the good faith or Ger
many for the protection Of the rights OF It's cit-
zens In any part Of China which Germany may
seize. 1t is not too much TO expect that Ger
many will similarly trust the good faith of the
United States to protect the interests OF German
subjects in the Philippines That is merely an
application Of the greatest German statesman s
well-known rule, do ut des" The reason and
Justice of It will certainly be apparent to the
German Government. especially TO the Enpe-
ror, who is himself so largely the Government.
The report that Germany is preparing TO make
heavy claims for damages TO property, sustained
at Manila and Cavite during the May Day bonn
bardment, seems to require explanation. From
whom the indemnity Is demanded, or TO be de
manded, Is not announced. 1t would be un-
commonly hard upon Spain for Germany to levy
such claims against her. and IT is exceedingly
problematic whether they could be justified and
collected. OF course, It is the duty Of n SOW
ereign to protect the property Of strangers doml-
ciled within his jurisdiction with all the efforts
in his power. But there Is no proof that the
Sransh Government did not do so at Manila. At
any rate It appears to have given TO German
property there no less protection than to Span
ish So It seems doubtful whether it could be
convicted Of c,lpable negligence sufficient 10
Justify a claim Tor indemnity. 1t Is not to he
supposed for a moment that the claims are 10
be directed against this country. That would
be IN amazing new departure in international
law The adoption Of belligerent domicile by
neutral subjects him to belgerent liabilities.
That Is the principle, and from it there is no
escape "No Power" said Mr.. Marcy fifty
years ago, "assaillng an enemy's country is re-
"quired to discriminate between the subjects Of
that country and foreigners domiciled therein,
NOR can the latter with any better right than
"the former claln indemnity IN any case except
from the country under whose jurisdiction they
have placed themselves" To that principle
this country has consistently adhered In more
than one case in which its own citizens were the
suffering parties II will assuredly not renounce
II now.
ITO the victors belong the spells" is a rule
that was borrowed from warfare and adopted
into politics. Its effects there became disas-
trous aud 1t became an object Of detestation.
But In war, where 1t originally belonged, it still
holds good. The nation that, for sef-profection
or In the cause Of humanity, is compelled to 90
to war and bear its dreadful burdens, Is entitled
to enjoy the fruits Of the victory IT winA 1t Is