The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-20
ACQUISITION OF TERRITORY.

1t is quite necessary to make distinction be.
tween acquisition of territory by conquest, l. e.,
legitimate conquest, and acquisition by pre-
meditatcd design. Let us suppose that prior to
| the Spanish. American war the United States had
expressed some overt intention to acquire the
Philippines, and was only waiting some slight
pretext to take them. Then it might be said
on some reasonable grounds that the United
States had acquired the islands contrary to the
principles Of the Monroe doctrine in that the
United States had made known its desire prior
to any contention. Now let us compare the
facts with this suppositon. Prior to the Spanish
American war the United States had no intention
of acquiring the Philippines, but simply in time
Of war occupied the "cnemy's country accord.
ing to the general and accepted principles Of
war. At the TING of cessation Of hostiities
territory occupied by an enemy, according to
international usage, enters into the peace con.
clusions. Hence the facts Of the case place the
acquisition of the Philippines out of the scope
OF the Monroe doctrine and turn the consideration
of them along the line of international law,
which says, using popular expression, "To the
victor belongs the spoils."
The distinction is clear and will any sane
person place, in this case, the Monroe doctrine
before the well worked out principles of inter-
national law and which accepted by the
leading and foremost civilized nations as correct
and the outgrowth of legitimate and equitable
experience?
TIE $40 100000
The United States has. in the payment OF 800.
100000 to Spain, indicated its just and equitable
sense of right, while according to the principles
Of international law it could have justly objected
to any payment whatever. But when balance
Of war expenses was struck it seemed that the
territory acquired exceeded by 900 the
amount lost, hence the noble spirit of the people
of the United States showed itself by this equit
able action We could expect no indemnity from
Spain, as her national eXchequer was low and so
another reason why we reasonably took her terri.
tory.
THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED.
Another point at issue seems to be, as it is
claimed that our constitution insures a people
that they shall not be governed without their
consent. We secured the Philippines from Spain
and with it its people. When were the Philip
pines ever an Independent people or even beliger
ents? Spain did not cede to free and indie
pendent people, nor did any nation ever recog-
nize them as beligerents No. We have part
Of Spains territory and its acquisition is the
same now as the acquisition of some Of our
southwestern and western territory. With this
territory came the Indians and did consult
the Indians as to whether or not they were
willing to come under our government?
Let us suppose that England for some
good reason to cede Canada to us and Canada
like our government. Would we he justified in
an attempt to suppress such rebellion? Most
certainly But suppose England were to cede
Brazil to lis. everybody would say it was no
cession at all and they would say so rightfully,
because in the first Canada is not in the
international sense n people. but part of a
people transferred to another people. In the
second place Brazil is people and England
has nothing to do with that people. A part OF
nation only become a people nation
either by freeing themselves by war or by the
recognition as such by the mother country.
REPRESENTATION.
OF course, each part Of people ought to be
represented whenever possible. Yet would it be
wise while the Indians are in state of insur-
rection to allow one to sit in congress to make
laws for his kin? 1t seems the first process Is
to quell the disturbance and then elevate them
a degree OF understanding our laws and customs,
in the meanwhile treating them with the best
judgment of the land and give the rule suited
to their condition and which will at the same
time elevate and educate. The process of ele.
vation is one in which the elevating factor is
high above those to be elevated. Who is more
capable than Our congress after study Of con-
ditions existing to elevate the Filipino, and
who is more able to do so than our Republican
president? To relnquish the Philippines would
be concession to rule OF anarchy, criminal
neglect to spread our civlizing influence and
to abandon our legitimate interests in the
Orient. We would abandon them leaving them
to their fate and the prey OF another nation
or we would at least form protcctorate over
them. which would be worse than any condition
imaginable.
G. Grenvile Cole, A. b., b. c. L.
Scranton, Oct. 49,