Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-06
THE DANGER TO BRITISH COM
MERGE.


The cable informs us that the London
Times views without alarm the rumors con-
corning Russo-American privateers. The
Times believes that such expeditions will not
be permitted to leave our ports, and its con-
fdence that the United States government
will effectually take action to repress priva-
teering is based on the same reasons by which
the GLOBE has heretofore shown that such
action should be taken. In brief, the argu-
ment is that by the treaty of Washington
and the acceptance of the Geneva award our
government has pledged itself to prevent lat
er Alabamas from sallying from our har
bors.
This is very we'll, but it does not afford
sufficient ground for the indifference (Which
we must believe is affected) expressed by
many British journals concerning the risk to
which England's merchantmen will be ex-
posed in case of war with Russia. The enor-
nous stretch of coast line in this country
makes it almost impossible to establish such
thorough supervision as would be a sure
guaranty against the escape of privateers.
IT war does come the struggle will be pro-
longed one, and, no matter how yigilant our
government may be, some cruisers will in
time certainly put forth from American ports
if the Russians be disposed to encourage that
kind OF warfare. Incalculable injury might
be done to British shipping interests by even
q few fast-sailing and we'll armed privateers.
Should their captures be few, and should the
war-ships of England be never so active and
omnipresent, still the knowledge that such
unpleasant rovers might be encountered
would estop merchants from shipping in
British bottoms, not to mention the great
additional premium for insurance that would
be demanded by underwriters.
However, the main danger to the British
merchant marine would not be from vessels
with letters of marque. 1t is possible, in
deed, that the Russian government would
abstain altogether from issuing letters of
that character, Russia having, by the treaty
of Paris of 1856, engaged herself not to en-
ploy privateers in future wars, and the senti-
ment Of Europe being decidedly opposed to
their use. But there is q perfectly feasible
method by which Russia could secure all the
results of prlvateering without actually
breaking the letter Of her engagements.
Her agents could arrange for the purchase
of steamships in Pacific ports, for instance,
and those ships could sail without let or
hindrance from this government. Either
directly or by indirection they could reach
Russian waters on the coast of Siberia, and
there they would be provided with Russian
crews and officers with regular Russian COM
missions, and equipped with the necessary
ornaments. For all practical intents and
purposes such vessels would be privateers,
but in name they would be Russian men Of
war.
The first efforts of the Russians to estab-
lish navy of the character described will in
case of war be doubtless be made in some of
our Pacific ports. The voyage to Siberian
waters would occupy but a short time, and
before the existence of war had become gen.
orally known throughout the Pacific many
British merchant ships would have fallen q
prey to the armed cruisers. It is reasonable
| to suppose that the presence of the steam
ship Cinlbria on the coast of Maine is in
some way connected with movement of the
foregoing nature. Probably the intention
of the Russian authorities was to have the
several hundred sailors on the Cimbria sent
over land to the Pacific, there to mar
one or more steamers. It is doubtful thai
our government would be acting in compli-
ance with international law in allowing
such transfer to be made. That, however,
is minor consideration, in connection with
the subject under present discussion.
There are abundant ways by which the Rus
slams could supply crews for all the vessels
which they can contrive to secure; it will
not be a complicated matter to arm the YES.
sells after they have sailed from American, O.
other neutral ports; and, despite the as
sumption of security by English journalists
there is every probability that Britain will
find her energies taxed to the utmost t,
guard her merchant marine from bein,
driven from the sea or to seek safety unde
other flags.