The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-07-26
SOME II BOOKS.
John Bassett Moore's Interna tionai I

a. N "olh IN al"c AoN ~ NN
attention that it deserves-for a more COM
prehensive and authoritative treatise con-
corning the subject with which 1t deals does
not exist-will be found in the eight vol
umes issued from the Governments Printing
Press and collectively entitled A Digest OF
International Ldw, by JOHN BAssETT MOORE,
formerly Assistant Secretary OF State.
This book has challenged and obtained In
Europe, the serious consideration which 1t
deserves. but it 10 OF particular interest to
American citizens. because 1t Ia based TO an
extent hitherto u%napproached on docu-
ments, published and unpublished. issued
by Presidents and Secretaries OF State OF
the United States, on the opinions Of United
States Attorney-Generals. and on decisions
OF American courts, Federal and State.
The authors peculiar competence for the
task which he has here undertaken needs
no sponsor In the eyes OF those who are con-
versant with his dissertation or 'Extradi-
ton and Interstate Rendition" with his
american Notes on the Conflict Of Laws
with his History and Digest OF 1nterna-
tional Arbitrations,' and with his Expo
sition OF. the Spirit and Achievements OF
American Diplomacy We should mem
ton that the inception Of the almost
exhaustive work before us was due to an
act OF Congress passed as long G as Feb
ruary, 1897. which provided for revising,
reindexing and otherwise completing apd
perfecting, by the aid Of such documents
as may be useful, the second edition OF the
Digest OF the International Law OF the
United States The work thus desig-
mated for revision was that compiled by the
late Francis Wharton and published in three
volumes in 1855, to which, as DR.. Wharton
was careful 10 acknowledge. Mr.. Moore
had bcen q large contributor. or the
present work. which already. as We have
said. comprises some eight volumes. the
matter contained in Wharton's Digest
(confined as that 10 to the international
law qf the United States) forms only a
smell part. although it is in substance en-
tirely preserved. and where toxtually re-
tanned is usually placed in quotation marks.
The quantity of the material. collected not
only from American. but from all other
souroes. which Is dealt with in tho present
treatise has been very great. II was
owing to the vast accumulation Of il and to
the correspondent difficulty OF prosecuting
the task of digestion, ANALYSIS and classif-
cation that Mr.. Moore closed tho systematic
and minute cleaning OF the manuscripts
July /. 1901. For facts subsequent to
that date the author has drawn on manu-
only in the treatment of special,
questions and events OF particular impor-
lance. The exploration Of printed sources.
the other hand. has been steadily car
ried on up to the time OF publication at the
Government Printing Office. The total mass
OF the supplemental matter was much
by the great international
transactions that took place between the
beginning OF 1898 and the summer Of 1905.
5 In MI. Moore's fourth chapter. for ex-
on the acquisition and loss Of SOW
ereignty, may be seen some OF the con
tributions resulting from our conflict with
Spain. II is by reference to this chapter
and to a few other chapters that treat Of
questions which lave very recently oocu-
pied or now occupy public attention that
can best illustrate the usefulness of tia
book to those who are called H,,,,.,n N n,hIic
life or in the press to dif,cuss the national
interests ana LEI national relations OF the
Snited States. We do not overstate the
truth when we say hat Mr.. Moore's, eapa-
'cious and carefully verified work is indis-
pensable TO students Of the subject, and
they nay well congratulate themselves on
learning that its treasure house OF informa-
ton is likely to receive valuable additions
the investigations and observations
which the author is now making.
We begin by indicating the light thrown
by this work on some OF the more impor-
tant questions raised by the Spanish-Amer-
lean war, on the contest between Japan and
Russia, and on the international status OF
the Congo State as this was fixed by the
Berlin Conference. to which the United,
States was a party. OF special interest
also are the references in this treatise to
the Joint proceedings OF Great Britain. Ger
many and Italy against Venezuela; our own
interrogation between Santo Domingo and
it's foreign creditors under the latest treaty
with that republic. and finally the changes
In international law brought about or
attempted at the first peace conference.
It ia in his fourth chapter that Mr.. Moore
devotes considerable space to the inter
national transactions resulting from the
contest between the United States and
Spain in 1898. We are reminded that as
early as July 20, 1898, but after VI naval
victories Of Manila Bay and Santiago, NJ.
Jules Cambon. French Ambassador, pre-
sented to our State Department a message
from the Government Of the sQueen Regent
Of Spain in which it was suggested hat TO
end calamities already great and to avert
evils still greater the two countries con-
cerned might mutually endeavor to find
upon what conditions the present struggle
could be terminated otherwise than by
force OF arms. The message went on TO
say that Spain was prepared to spare Cuba
from the continuation Of the horrors Of war
II the United States we're OIL it's part SIM
ilarly disposed. A wish was expressed
accordingly to learn from President McKin-
ley upon what basis might be Established
q political status In Cuba and might be
terminated a strife which would continue
without reason should both Governments
agree upon the means OF paoifying the
island. The President in reply said that
the United States would require, first.
the relinquishment by Spain Of all claim Of
sovereignty over or title TO Cuba and her
immediate evacuation Of the island; Sec
ondly, the President. DESTROYS Of exhibiting
signal generosity. would not now put forth
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