The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-03
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1898.
WE ASSUME NO DEBTS.


.the discussion of Hon Hannis Taylor of
fhe treaty beins negotiated by the United
States with Spain. There are some other
points in the discussion which we wish
10 advert 10.
Mr.. Taylor says that at the end Of our
war with Mexico We refrained from APP
proprlating any part Of territory, but paid
her fifteen millions of dollars in cash,
and assumed TO pay American citizens
more than three millions of dollars due
ahem by Mexico and that this sum of
money was paid her for the vast terri
tory acquired from her by us. This he
thinks should have ben the principle and
precedent to guide our commissioners in
dealing with Spain.
IL must never DE forgotten that The
Times is the most irreconciliable OF all
enemies to the theory that the United
States are 10 aggrandize themselves at
The expense OF Spain as the result of the
late war. But while that is 50 The Times
looks at things as they are, and does
not propose TO allow itself 10 be misled
by false analogies.
There is no analogy whatever between
our war with Mexico and our war with
Spain. The causes FOR the two we're Of
q totally different nature. We went 10
war with Spain TO llberate the Cubans
from their intolerabie oppression and be-
snc at war with her we struck her, in
virtue OF our rights as belligcrent,
whenever We saw her Upon this princi-
pie we took possession of Porto Rico and
the Philippines. They were accurately
and correctly conquests. TO be disposed Of
by as when negotiations for peace came
TO be set on foot as We might make up
our minds to dispose of them, so that
we had the physical power TO make our
determination good. This is the exact
status Of the case so far as Porto Rico
and the Philippines are concerned as the
settled principles OF international law
establishes it. and lamentations over our
Punishment" of Spain, are tears, idle
hears" the meaning of which no one
knows. War is a serious business, and
'yae yictis" IS its law. lie who would
live by the sword must be content II he
dies by the sword, and since Spain chal-
lenged us to the contest and was con-
quered. she must accept the law from her
conqueror.
We might generously return her Porto
Rico and the Philippines. but It would
be an act Of generosity alone. 1t would
pot be one that had q shadow of just
claim on her part 10 rest upon. 1t would
be generosity and generosity alone and
that. too. at the expense of the best in
terests of Porto Rico and the Philippines.
OF course the conqueror in "a war under
taken in the interests of humanity. could
never return TO Spain a colony once ar
rested from her in that war. for her
expressions are incident 10 her scheme
OF colonial rule. and would certainly be
applied. therefore. 10 those colonies We
returned 10 Ter as fatally as they had
hses 10 Cuba. We are simply forced
by the exigencies OF the case to terminate
spanish dominion forever in all the col
MES arrested from her. Mr. Taylor's
concern is that IN doing this we should
debts that Spain has incurred in her
dealings with them.
We understand that the 100000 offer
co Spain by our commissioners are the
supposed value of the permanent peaceful
Improvements she has put upon the Phil
ippinos. II We are going to appropriate
chose islands FOR ourselves We cannot
perceive any moral obligation that would
REQUIRE Us tc assume any further part
OF SPANS pecuniary liabilities in respect
20 them. IL seems 10 US that ii would be
the height OF absurdity for us TO assume
q debt incurred by Spain i'm expressing
she Islanders or In fighting US. II we APP
propriate the islands 1t is generosity alone
that prompts US 10 pay her $50 10000. II
they are ours at all they are ours by
hight Of conquest and the eonqseror IS
under no obligation OF any sort to pay
anything whatever for what he conquors.
The true status Of the case is this:
Assuming that we are conquerors Of the
Philippines though we are far from hav
ing possesion-we should end Spanish
sovereignty there, exercise friendly pro-