The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1898-11-28
PAYING FOR NEW TERRITORY

WOrlQ 8 aHalrS mas marked Gne COURSE
of the United States in its territorial
expansion from time to time. A
cash payment has been the rule with
this country. The law Of ruthless
seizure is not to be found in our his
tory. Nor is a defeated adversary
treated by US as one who must give
up everything asked without receiV-
ing anything in return. That stern
demand has usually been enforced by
other nations, but not by the United
States. Our creditable custom is to
disarm the foe, but not to drive him
from his possessions worse than
empty-handed. Losers in modern
wars usually pay cash indemnify.
France was deprived of two entire
provinces in the last war with Ger
many and paid to the victor $1,000
100000 in addition. In the war of
1873 with Russia, Turkey lost ter
ritory both IN Europe and Asia and
is still deeply in arrears for the cash
indemnity also exacted. Prussia
paid nothing for the annexation in
1866, by military force, of the Danish
provinces. Greece recently escaped
from the grip of Turkey by cession
of territory on the frontier and cash
indemnity. Spain IS found to fare
exceedingly we'll when comparison
is made.
The practice of the United States
in annexation is far more considerate
than that of Europe. Almost in
variably we have paid direct sum
in cash for territory acquired. For
the Louisiana purchase of 1908
France received $12,0OO,OOO. Spain
obtained $5,OOO,OOO for Florida IN
1919. Texas, with the standing of
an independent state, came into the
union voluntarily, accepting the ad-
Vantages as an equivalent, without a
cash payment. The cesslon of Mexi-
can territory in 1849 involved cash
payment by the United States of
$15,OOO,OOO and debts assumed to
the extent of 100000. The Gads-
den purchase o: 1858 cost $1O,00O,-
600. Alaska was purchased in 1867
for $7,2O0,OOO. While Hawaii came
in this year without direct payment,
the obligations assumed amount TO
several millions. Porto Rico is re
Earded as partial war indemnity. 1t
will be noticed that the rule with tie
United States has been to pay lump
cash sum, and one large enough to be
quite welcome to the countries repre-
senting the other side of the transac-
tions.
In the acquisitions referred to we
have paid to France, Spain, Mexico
and Russia total of $52,7OO,OOO, an
average of $21 square mile, or a
faction more than Sc an acre. To
give Spain $40, 100000 for the Philip
pines would be S87 square mile, or
about 13c an acre. But the value of
the City of Manila is to be kept in
mind in making an estimate of this
nature. The offer includes impor-
tant advantages in addition to the
$2O,OOO,OOO in cash. Spain will be
allowed to conduct commerce with
the Philippine seaports on the same
terms arranged for the United States
If the Spanish clement there desires
to continue business on old lines nc
discriminating taxes will bar the way
The United States in completing the
treaty also proposes to wipe out old
outstanding claims on both sides
Liberality marks the proposition
throughout. Spain is enabled to be-
gin new era without the burden ot
revoIted colonies and free from the
war claims of victor. She is lucky
TO receive her lesson in war from {