The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-07-16
The Danger at Manila.
From the Baltimore sun, July II

From the Baltimore sun, July II.
According to information obtained in Ber-
lin by the Associated Press, an understand.
ing has been reached by Germany, France
and Russia as to the attitude to be assumed
toward the Philippine Islands at the conclu'
sion of the present war. The United States,
it is stated, is to be constrained to recognize
the new relations she has created for herself
by attempting territorial acquisitions in the
Old World. The powers of Europe act in
concert" with regard to matters affecting
common interests. No power may act alone
in any important matter affecting all, but
must recognize the rights of others. Thus
Russia has time and again been kept from
Constantinople; England was kept from in
terfering with the Sultan's doings in Armenia;
Greece was not permitted to absorb Crete,
and when Greece had been worsted in war
Turkey was not permitted to appropriate
Thessay. If any one power undertakes to
solve by itself any question that affects all the
rest, it is quickly given to understand by
diplomatic hints that it will do so at the risk
of war with the rest.
Such is the restriction imposed by the
European System" upon all its members.
Now it is contended that the United States,
by acquiring possessions in the Old World,
becomes a member of that system and must
conform to its rules. We must consider, says
continental Europe, the rights of others in
the Philippines, which have hitherto belonged
to European power. As soon as Russia ac-
quired title to Manchuria, Germany felt
that she was entitled to piece of China at
Kiao- Chau, France gained concessions in the
neighborhood of Tonquin and England at
Wei-hai Wei and Hong Kong. So if the
United States begins the demolition of Spain S
colonial empire in the far East by apprepria-
ting Manila and Luzon, the island Of which Ma
Mia is the capital, Germany, Russia and
France are entitled to share. Capturing
one island does not give title, it is said, to the
whole GOO islands that constitute the Philip
pine al chipelago. Only occupation gives
title and if the powers seize islands that are
not occupied by the United States they have
only Aguinaldo to answer to, since it was he,
not the United States, that threw off the
Spanish yoke. On the principle. then, that
by entering the Old World system we become
subject to its rules, the great continental pow
ers have determined, according to the Asso-
ciated Press agent at Berlin, ''to combine to
prevent the United States from gaining eXcu-
sive possession of the Philippines.
This, it is suggested, is to be effected by an
international congress at the conclusion of the
war. Says the Dispatch ''When the war is
oven an lHleIudtlOldl Will NC plo-
posed. similar to the Berlin congress of 1878,
to settle all questions connected with the war.
All the great powers will be invited to join,
including the United States and Spain. 1t
appears certain that Germany will then de-
mand slice of the Philippine Islands or
other compensation in the far East The
refusal of the United States to enter such a
congress is not apprehended. The silent
pressure of great naval demonstration at
Manila may be relied upon, it is thought,
to compel acquiescence. Germany has now
five warships at Manila. Russia and France
can readily send twice that number from
their Pacific fleets. Such pressure may, it is
believed, induce the United States to enter II
congress, or abandon some part of the Philip
pines to other powers that need naval sta
tons in that part of the world That Europe
dislikes the proposal of our jingoes to absorb
the whole archipelago is clear from the tone
of the Russian, German, French and Aus
trian press. The London Spectator shows
what is the situation at Manila:
admiral Dewey cannot venture, says
the Spectator, "to exhaust or nearly exhaust
his supply of shells in bombarding Manila.
With the Germans looking on when the bom-
bardment begins, with German officers at Ca
vite and German marines at Manila, and
German cruisers in the harbor, and German
Prince among them all, Admiral Dewey will
have most delicate part to play, and playing
a delicate part while shells are screaming and
sailors are dying and the reputation Of a new
navy at stake is not so easy. Unless both
parties keep their heads and tempers there
will be shots exchanged between the Ameri
can and German ships. Both sides may msun
derstand the position Of strictly neutral
fleet, the weaker thirstng to commit every
body, so that it may benefit by the confusion,
and the stronger irritated at having to pro
vide for a contingency it did not anticipate. :