New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-03
NETTR1L OELLGATIONS.

The rumOr that citizens Of Philadelphia, San
Francisco and other adventurous seapOrts are
going largely into the business OF priyatecrng
may be dismissed as the dream of some light
headed reporter The privilege of fitting out
privateers III American ports is one which the
United States Government reserves for its own
use. Other nations do not enjoy that liberty
even in time of peace. Any American citizen
within our jurisdiction who accepts commits
sion 10 serve against country with which we
are ut peace is liable to "A fine of $4,000, and
imprisonment for three years and any person,
whether citizen or not, who within our
jurisdiction cnliSts or prOcurcs another TO
enlist as soldier, sailor, or privateers-
man against a power with which we
are at peace, may be punished by 1000 fine
and three years Imprisonment. The penalties
for fitting out privatecrs, or taking pccnniary
interest in them, are still more severe--tcn
years imprisonment and $4,000 fine. III
Russia wishes to issue letters of marque there
fore she must furnish all the officers and men
herself. She can buy ships here, but she can
not arm or furnish them in our WI crs. And
if it is true that certain residents OF Phila-
"delphia are getting up joint stock com
Ddly iDl INC DuiU'-O Va B"ANA'''Aip "''
"equpping a privateer to sail under the
Russian flag" they arc likely soon to be
laid by the heels:
The provisions we have referred TO, and
others equally stringent, have been on our
statute books for more than sixty years. They
apply to n time of peace "a we'll rs time Of
war. They are in force continuously. But
whenever war begins our obligations become
still strictcr. We have agreed in war time TO
regulate our conduct not only by the neutral
itv acts, but by the rules OF the Treaty of
Washington. In that instrument tho United
States and Great Britain pledged themselves
to the doctrine that q neutral government is
bound.
Il To use due diligence 10 prevent the fitting out
arminP equippmg within its Jurisdiction oiauy yes
sci which It has reasonable ground to believe IS intended
to cruise carry against power with which
II at peace and also to Ike diligence to prevent
tho departure from its Jurisdiction OF any vessel IN
tended to cruise carry above, such vessel
having been specially adapted In whole in part
within such jurisdiction, TO warllke use
g Not to permit suffer either belligcrnt 10 make
use Of It's ports the base OF naval operations
against the other the purpose OF tho renewal or
augmentation of military supplies or arms, or the re-
cruitnent Of men,
as To exercise due diligence in its ports and
waters and as to all persons within It's Jurisdiction to
prevent any violation Of the foregoing obligations and
duties"
There is no doubt that the Administration
will feal obliged to interpret these rules with
the utmost stuctnes5 and enforce them with
the utmost rigor. They impose upon our
Government an arduous duty, bat that is q
part of the price we have to pay for the
Alabama Award. We are compelled to place
the same meaning upon the rules now that we
contended for in the presence Of the Tribunal
at Geneva. Mr. Evarts, of all men, is least
likely to be found wanting in providing for
the rigorous observance of American neu-
trality.