The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-20 00:00:00

handed proceedings in positions beyond the power
of controlling influence. When the fight becomes
hot and passions strongly excited, the most effectual
means will be taken to cripple an enemy. The
principle that all private property is sacred—whether
on land or at sea—may have . met with the most
forcible arguments in a gathering of philanthropists
in New York, but its most forcible illustrations are
given iu SHERMAN'S destroying march, and the Ala-
bama's fiery cruise. Thus, it is said, that war must
be enacted, however pacific may be the theories,
and their adoption by nations will but restrain the
mare conscientious, and give an advantage to the
unscrupulous. If the world would by universal
co,,sent resolve that all private property on the
high seas should be exempt from capture, there
would of course he ao cud to privateeri and cow'
'tierce would be fried flutn a great &Anger. But
whether such a measure comes into practice or .net
the international law on Ow subject of
privatecrin
should be distinctly enunciated, and made universal.
What constitutes a regularly commissioned ship °f
war? The Alabama claimed to be one, although
belonging to a State in rebellion, issuing from 3
port friendly to her enemy, and flying the colours
of a Confederacy unknown diplomatically to nations,
into one of whose harbours she had never entered.

Suppose a vessel were fitted out in New York, pro-
fessing to be a cruiser of his most Christian -Ala"
jesty. the Emperor of ABYSSINIA, how is such a
vessel to be regarded ? It is manifest he has
neither a port, a ship, nor a sailor, but he may,
by making his mark at the bottom of a sheet
of parchment, create a fleet, although he be but
a mere inland African savage. Indeed he would
have little trouble in finding some patriotic Eng-
lish ship-builders, ready to supply—for a conside-
ration—all required, for proceeding against British
commerce. The emissaries of the Confederate Go-
vernment found no difficulty in dealing with the
most eminent of English firms, although their paltry
gains were purchased almost at the expense of
war between the two great branches of the Anglo-
Saxon race, and cruel loss and suffering to all. n
is clear that such a state of things cannot be per-
mitted to continue ; and with the settlement ei
the Alabama claims, ought to come a clear state-
ment of the principles which great maritime na"
tions will be prepared to enforce regarding property
at sea. Although we would regret to learn that 5
privateer had escaped from any port bearing
letter of marque from King THEODORE, we believe
that nothing would more tend to quicken English
sensibilities as to the real nature of the Alabama
outrages than a taste of the bitter cup others were
forced to swallow. We go drifting along, writing
despatches and receiving rejoinders, while event:
are progressing towards a state of things agains
which they are intended to provide, until Vie
awake among the breakers, when all is hurry and

confusion.
'The Abyssinian expedition is itself an instance c't
this. THEODORE'S letter actually offered the opOr:
tunity of conciliating and making a friend of that
barbarous and energetic monarch. Through thei
gross and culpable negligence of Lord RUSSELL 39;
"Mr. LAY ARD it became the cause of the war.
this moment the British Government might We
been exchanging friendly communications and pre.
sents with the KING, and perhaps exercising an iu;
fluence for good iu Abyssinia, if common politene'
and consideration had been shown. Instead of thisi'
a heavy tax is being levied on the English POP::
to send soldiers into a most unhealthy country
cut the throats of a wretched set of barbarians•
more paltry cause never led to a more ill-adviW'
war, and we can only hope that the operations el
be confined to the districts over which King TOS,e
DORE rules. Let us, however, take time by t'i
forelock, and urge to a settlement, the International
Law of Privateering.—Anglo-American Times.