The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-03
VIEWS OF A FOREIGN PUBLIC1sT.

The views Of leading European publicists
regarding the equities of the present war
and the rightfulness Of the position Of the
United States are in marked contrast with
the carping comment of some European
newspapers. One of the foremost of these
publicists is NJ Alphonse RIVER former
president OF the Institute of International
Law and now professor at the University
of Brussels. He is also acting as arbitrator
between England and Russia in relation to
some Canadian seal fishery claims. His
work on ''Principes du Droit des Gems is a
standard book in all European universities
and law schools. In a recent interview
with M. River he was asked if the United
pies of international law as understood in
Europe, to interfere with Spanish sover-
eighty in Cuba. His reply was:
Should my neighbours house be in flames
and should this neighbor be unable or in
capable of putting out the fire, L would
certainly invade his premises. This is our
principle of intervention, and it can be de-
nned as follows: A state has the well-recog-
nized right to intervene in virtue of it's own
right of self-preservation whenever it's
rights or its safety affected, injured or
imperiled by the political or social condi-
ton of another state. This is well-es-
tabiiShed principle of international law,
which no European jurist in his senses can
afford to deny. 1t has always been adj
mitted. The destruction of American prop
erty in Cuba carried on for a number of
years, the expense incurred by the United
States to patrol their coasts or prevent fill
clustering expeditions from leaving their
harbors, without speaking of the state of
anarchy existing for some years in the ISL
and, were motives more than sufficient,
from our legal European standpoint, to au-
thorize the United States to invade that
Spanish colony. And, besides, can Europe
afford to question this right when our own
history is full of instances of armed inter-
vention not always justified and neVerthe-
less tolerated? 1t is wonder to me that
the United States, having the undoubted
right to interfere. did not do so long ago.
The war has got beyond the point of dis
cussing the right Of the United States to
interfere in Cuba, yet it is gratifying to find
the matter SO strongly stated by a distin-
guished foreign jurist The enlightened opin-
ion of the civilized world has already justi-
fed our Intervention, and, If we are true to
the motives declared at the beginning of
the war, history will do so in a very em-
phatic manner. To question what rights
Germany or any other power had in Ma
Mia, NJ. River replied that as between bel
ligerents a neutral power has merely the
right to protect the life and property of its
citizens. 1t may do whatever is necessary
to that end, but cannot do more without
violating neutrality. Just how far a gov
eminent may go in the performance Of this
duty is a question for each particular case,
but it cannot be beyond the line of afford
ing reasonable protection to the lives and
property of its citizens. According to this
rule the rights of Germany or any other
European power at Manila are very small
compared with the right of the United
States, as belligeaent to force her an
tagonist to terms. Concluding on this point
NJ. River said:
AT all events the wise selection made by
President Mckinley in appointing such a
well-known international jurist as Professor
d. BaSSet Moore to the position of assistant
secretary of state is a guarantee that moth
ing will be done in Washington contrary
TO international law. We hardly appreciate
authorities on international law are Ameri-
can authors. The names of Wheaton, of
Kent. William Beach Lawrence, Francis
Wharton Woolsey, David Dudley Field,
Lieber, Halleck, Moore and of others are
good evidence that international law is safe
in American hands. Unhappily, our conti-
mental European press Is ill-informed on
American affairs. After. the ludicrous and
dismal failure of Europe to settle the
Eastern question we should certainly well
come now the appearance of the United
States as civilizifg factor in the world 5
affairs. / am not sure whether this would
not be a blessing for the world at large.