The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-02
Ar THE ISLANDS ARE OURS
The Treaty OF Pence with Spain Included
the Entire Philippines Archipelago.

WASHINGTON, Nov / The Government Ia
not concerned over tho claim made in the Spanish
Senate yesterday that two Of the Batanes group
and tho Island Of Calayan wero not included in
the transfer Of the Philippines from Spain to the
United States through ignorance on the part Of
the treaty makers That such n claim was likely
10 mise has been known 70 the Government ever
since the treaty was negotiated. The American
Commissioners gave tho fullest consideration to
the question Of whether thcse Islands would not
be outside the boundaries Of the archipelago
prescribed by the treaty. and It was finally ar
ranged, with the concurrence Of the Spanish Com
miseioncrs that they should be included within
American Jurisdiction, even II tho maps followed
by the treaty makers should prove u he defective
In order however, 10 provide against any con-
tngcncy OF n claim that the Batnncs and Galaxy an
Island were not transferred 10 the United States tho
American Commissioners proposed that the north
ern boundary Of the Philippines should be the
parallel Of 81 degrees 80 minutes north latitude
The first draft oi the treaty contained such q pro-
vision. The Spanish Commissioners suggested,
however that thus boundary apparently cncroachcd
on Japanese territory. and asserted that the north
EN- boundary 81 tho Philippines Archipelago had
MSys been the middle o. the snsnns Of roS S
OF the 10th parallel but IL south Of the parallel Of
2i'3O The treaty a. ratified contained pro
territory transferred by Spain 10 The United
States should he "a line running from wen 10 cast
along or near inc 2Olh parallel OF norm lnutuue
and through the middle Of the navgable channel
ri !'achi." This plainly included the three ISL
nnds in question within the American territory
acquired by the treaty.
II was said to-day that should the Spanish
Government assert the claim made in the Senate
at Madrid yesterday by one Of the Senators. Spain
would convict herself Of dishonesty, as II was
upon the representations Of the Spanish Peace
Commissioners. based on Spanish official maps
that the american Peace Commissioners consented
10 change the northern boundary OF the Philippines
from 2i'3O 10 the 10Th parallel. In suggesting
this change Tho Spanish Commissioners asserted
that n line following the Goth parallel and the
Bachi Channel would embrace The Batanes and
Calayan Islands within the American territory
thus morally binding themselves. even, II the
northern line described in the treaty failed 90 run
10 the north Of tEcsc islands to the transfer OF the
Batancs and CHlayan 10 the United States. An
immediate denial 81 Spain right 10 the islands
would I've made by this Government II the Spanish
Government should endorse the assertion Of Count
D'Almenas in tho Madrid Senate and Spain
would hr asked in the softer lang nage OF dpo-
macy, what shewas going To do about IT. Japan,
through her ownership in Formosa, which Is Just
20 the north of the three islands in question
may raise the question Of whether the islands are
within American or Japanese jurisdiction. While
this is not probable, the Government Is prepared
for its reception and will be glad TO consider the
M