The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-28
THE PRICE OF PEACE.
WHAT TT WILL COST SPAIN TO PAY
UNCLE SANS WAR CLAIMS.
Great Increase in Expense of Modern
WarmaI1ing Precedents Set by
other Nations in the Collection of
Indemnities for Similar Outlays.

" 0rmaIGtnS - HrecedentS set by
Other Nations in the Collection of
Indemnities for similar Outlays.
From the Chicago Inter ocean.
Spains friends in Europe have come to
the conclusion that her power of resistance
to the United States is ended. Peace at
any price" is the advice that is given to
the statesmen at Madrid from all Euro
pean capitals.
But what shall the price of peace be?
Uncle Sam must answer that question. 1t
is for him to name the amount of indem-
nifty. Since nations first began to fight
the rule which compels the defeated to
pay roundly for defeat has prevailed. 80
much of your territory and so much of
your money" has been invariably the final
word of the conqueror to the conquered.
In the earlier wars Of the century some
notable precedents have been made from
which an idea may be formed Of the size of
the bill shortly TO be made out by the
United States against Spain. The princl-
pie followed has been that, both in terri
tory and in cash, the defeated nation is
liable to pay for its experience. a far-on
but famous illustration of this principle
is found in the terms Of peace dictated
by the allied powers of Europe TO France
after the fall of Napoleon a Waterloo.
Not only We're various pieces of French
territory appropriated, but her important
frontier fortresses were he'd for five years
by an army of occupation" which the
French treasury was made 10 pay and
support.
AS a result of the three years war be
tween Great Britain and China OS40 1857,
and 1860 the Chinese government, be-
sides ceding Hong Kong to the victorious
British and opening several of her ports
to trade, was made to pay an indemnity
amounting in all 10 about $35000000 In
the case Of the war between the United
States and Mexico, when the terms of
peace We're dictated by our government
compensation was taken wholly in terri
tory Mexico was too poor at that time
to have paid cash indemnity equivalent
to the cost of the war, which was about
$lO0,W0000. So we took California and
New Mexico instead of money, and consid-
cred the bargain so good that We paid $l5,-
goo to the Mexican government as an
additional consideration for the transfer
Although not strictly a war indemnity,
that paid by Great Britain on account of
che depredations Of the Alabama during
our civil war is of timely interest as ex-
employing the extent to which claims for
compensation may be built up and cut
down. AS originally put forward, the
American claims practically comprised
every item in the expense of the war
from the day on which the Alabama put
to sea. The prolongaton Of the war was
attributed entirely to her, and she was,
therefore, made responsible for this, as
wen as for the loss suffered by American
commerce through its transference 10 for
eign vessels and the increased rates of
maritime insurance. The Geneva tri-
hun t.-.4t
rect results of the Alabama's depreda-
tons could not be included In the bill
and awarded an indemnity Of SIS, $4,000 as
an equivalent for the injury actually done
to the United States through the fault
or negligence of England.
The recent war between China and ia
pan was terminated by the peace of Shin
onoseki, three years ago. BY the treaty
China agreed to pay Japan a sum equiv
alent to Sic, 10000 In addition she coded
the island of Formosa 10 her conquerors,
recognized the independence of Korea, and
consented 70 open four new treaty ports.
The war between Prussia and Austria,
in 1866 was rounded off by the payment Of
a notable indemnity by the vanquished
Austrlans. In addition 20 The territorial
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Prussia and the exclu-
sion Of Austria from the German bund,
the treaty of Prague, which terminated
the war, provided for the payment by
Austria of an indemnity Of 100000 Prus-
sian thalers, or about $50O0,000 From
this amount however, deduction was made
OF 100000 thalers, representing Austrian
claims on Schleswig- Hoistein, and 100000
thalers as an equivalent for the free main
tenance of the Prussan army in Austria,
pending the conclusion Of peace.
The heaviest war indemnity Of modern
times was. of course, that paid by France
at the close Of the war with Germany.
The hostlit!es lasted over eight months,
and The total cost of the war was esu-
mated at 81, $50, 10000. Besides the cession
Of Alsace and Lorraine. France had to
pay Germany 100000 francs G1,000,0O0 In
installments. which were allowed to ex-
tend over three years The original de-
mand of Germany was 6 billiards, or
S200, eco 900 more M. Theirs stroye in vain
to save Metz. but 1t was 70 his exertions
that the reduction in the amount of the
indemnity was due.
The cost of the Russo-Turkish war OF
1877 has been estimated at S9i5,0o0,000 Be
tween the declaration of war Dy Russia
and the treaty or San Stefano nearly elev-
en- months elapsed, 30 this treaty the