The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-16
SATURDAY. JULY 10, lS9s.
~rxp, ALTON SHOULD BE ASKED

ADAPTATION SHOULD III AshfD
,rbo action of the German cruiser Irene
at subic Bay IS such on unprecedented
astounding act that the American people
woula have been disposed to class the
account of It with the usual newspaper
canards II our government had not re-
ce,ves official notice that it was iacI
But Admiral Dewey has cabled the gov
eminent that the German cruiser diu ac-
tually interfere with Asuinados men III
their operations against the spaniards
and that he was compelled TO send TWO
warships to the spot TO protect the IN
surgents in their operations. whereupon
the German inconunently left the scene.
We have the fact established, therefore
beyond question that the German war
ship has actually attempted forcible
Intervention in the affairs OF the Philip
pines. against which islands we are NOV
ing in our war with Spain.
The international law of such case
is too plain TO admit of argument. When
one nation is at war with another 1t is
the duty of every neutral power to stand
aside absolutely and to hold off its hands
as completely as If it did not exist IN
der such conditions as exist at Manila a
neutral power might land armed men
temporarily to protect its citizens whose
lives or property were threatened. but
even in that case it would be It's duty 10
do so in subordination Of the rights of
the belligerent, and it would be its duty
TO remove the armed men just as soon as
the bergeront was in a situation that
enabled it to give adequate protection
to the citizens OF the neutral.
1t was. therefore a clear violation of
the laws of nations for the German war
ship TO NEEDLE in the matter. 1t is ca
bled from Berlin that the German gov
eminent takes the ground that because
of it's Morality towards Spain it may
treat those who are insurgents against
her authority as such insurgents, and
that II Is. therefore, free 90 treat them as
Spain would treat them when it encoun-
tiers them within her dominions.
This would undoubtedly be a sound
proposition If we were not making war
upon Spain and If the scene Of Ger
many's contact with the insurgents were
not the identical part Of SPANS terri
tory that we were attacking and seek
ing TO occupy. But when that is the
case all agencies within that territory
hostile TO Spain are our natural allies
and we have as much right TO avail
ourselves Of their aid as we have TO
avail ourselves of the crops growing
upon the soil or the waters running in
the streams. We are not compelled to
recognize them as a lawful body IN
order to avail ourselves OF their aid. We
use them as we use any serviceable
agency that comes within our reach
when we are fighting for life. and for a
neutral power 20 interfere and exert
itself to deprive us OF the aid that we
may receive from this fortuitous ally
Is in no wise different in principle from
its attempt TO deprive as Of the use of
the heritage or the waters Of the region.
To illustrate It at our doors: Suppose
Garcia's forces had been separated from
ours at Santiago by some fifty miles. but
ha had been moving towards our forces
to make a juncture with them. and sup
pose German force had interfered with
his march and had attempted 10 impede
g. What would the American people
have thought Of such an act? II is all
most certain that there would have been
a common consent in America that It
was an act OF war against as by Ger
many yet the interference OF the Ger
man warship al subig Bay was In no
wise different in principle from the case
we suppose. The act is distinctly un-
lawful and unfriendy act. II it IS not
very much worse.
We want no quarrel with Germany for
many reasons, the first and greatest OF
which IS that we want no quarrel with
anyone But we particularly want no
quarrel with Germany because a very
large part OF our most cherished popuia-
ton Is German or OF German descent But
~ Germany Is determined 10 interfere
IN our affairs. thea the case must be
met as she makes IL.
The way to avoid quarrel Is TO show
that you arc not afraid OF 1t.
This case should be Officially brought