New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-18

the Spanish Government has tho right to can't
ure and confiscate an American millionaire S
yacht, II IT can catch It: for the same reason
the United states has the right 10 destroy a
Spanish cable In the other case az the cable
belongs 70 neGtrals) this act Of war caused by
the circumstances Of the conflict can only re
suit in payment of damages to the neutral
owners. Now, as pointed out in that printed
interview, the United States. a rich nation.
Known for rs scrupulous observance of vested
rights. would certainly literally compensate the
owners. The latter would not suffer: they would
be entitled to damages, and the United States
would certainly pay them"
What rights has Germany or any other neu-
tral Power in Manila ." | continued
NEUTRAL GERMANY's RIGHTS
"A neutral Power" answered NJ River. has
merely the right TO protect the life and prop
erty OF it's citizens: hut what Germany may
understand by this. how far Germany may go
IN order to protect German life and property.
this is a question on which she may possibly
disagree with the United States Ii becomes
then question Of might more tnan Of right. Ac-
cording to international! law she has the right
10 take only such measures may he neces
sary To insure the safety Of German lives and
property; hut what she will claim % Ice a 'neces-
safN act in Manila is an underlined quantity.
Here We ent"r INTO political not legal. consd-
erations, which have not yet been settled by
international Jurisprudence.
AT all events" added NJ. River. the wise
selection made by President Mckinley in ap-
pointing such well-known international iurist
as Professor u. BasSet Moore to the position OF
Assistant Secretary Of State Is guarantee
that nothing will be done I'm Washington con
trary to international law. We hardly APP
preciate the fact IN Europe that some of the
best authorities on international law are Ameri-
can authors. The names Of Wheaton. Of Kent.
William Beach Lawrence. Francis Wharton.
WoOlsey. David Dudley Field. Lieber, Haleck.
Nj core and Of others good evidence that in
terna;ional law is safe In American hands
Cnhappy our Continental European press Is
ill-informed on American affairs. After the
ludicrous and dismal failure OF Europe 10 settle
the Eastern question should certainly wei
come now the appearance Of the United States
as a Civlizlng factor in the worlds affairs.
am not sure whether this would not he bless
ing for the world at large. NJ. de Bar. professor
at Gdttingen. in Germany, and also former
like myself, has expressed views similar to
tionary. Of course You will find them in Il late
number Of 'CosmOpOlis'
These expressions Of n competent authority
show that there are some scientific men on the
European Continent who have not lost their
heads in the general decentralization Of Cont
mental politics one may truly quote here Virgil.
and say with him apparent rari nantes in
gurete vasto." and for the very fact that
swimmers" are scarce in the European CON
tnental mudpOnd ! take the liberty 10 report
this interview-very carefully noted dOwn--With
a man well qualified to express an opinion on
international conflicts and quite in6ependent.
Such contrasts relieve the mOnOtony OF the pres
ent moral landscape ~ Continental Europe
HENRY GATLLIEUR
Brussels July y 1895