 Additionally, there was no evidence that Palmas was a part of the judicial or administrative organization of the Spanish government of the Philippines.However, the Netherlands showed that the East India Company had negotiated treaties with the local princes of the island since the 17th century and had exercised sovereignty, including a requirement of Protestantism and the denial of other nationals on the island.The arbitrator pointed out that if Spain had actually exercised authority, then there would have been conflicts between the two countries but none were provided in the evidence.