The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1885-06-19

New York Sun.
Seldom has the New York Chamber
Of Commerce raised mere important
question than the expediency Of urging
the Federal Government to acqu iesce in
the Declaration of Paris regarding tho
rights and duties OF belligerents and
neutrals in maritime warfare. The re-
cent signs Of rupture between two Of
the great European powers, and the be-
lief that such contest Is only tempora-
rily averted, have made the discussion
one Of deep and urgent moment to our
commercial interests but we have no
doubt that the committee to whom the
question was referred will examine it
wsrily and thoughtfully from many
points Of view before submitting their
report.
Undoubtedly we have something to
gain as we'll as lose by becoming par
ty to the Declaration Of Paris, and our
decision must depend on . careful bal
ancing Of counter considerations. In
the event Of war between Russia and
Great Britain, In which Turkey almost
certainly, and perhaps other European
States, would ultimately DO involved,
we should naturally wish to seize the
Of recovering our former
large share of the ocean carrying trade,
and should feel concerned to give the
widest possible extension TO the rights
Of neutrals. It cannot be disputed that
hose rights are materially enlarged by
three Of the principles laid down In the
Declaration mentioned and made obliga-
tory on the signatory States. Obvious
y neutral power aiming to absorb the
carrying function for which belligerents
would be to large extent disqualified,
would be signally assisted BY agree
nents that neutral dag should cover
IN enemy's goods, with the exception OF
of war; that neutral goods,
4 not contraband, should not be liable
% capture under neutral dag, and that
In order TO be binding, must
70 effective. Such provisions as these
undoubtedly might give . tremendous
Impetus to our ocean commerce on the
outbreak Of that European war which
here Is reason to believe can be post
'oned for only short period.
BUT we cannot secure those facilities
without sacrificing something, and Il be-
looves us to weigh heedfully the conse-
luences Of the sscri6ce. We cannot
become . party 70 the Declaration Of
Paris without abjurlng privateering-
Without surrendering, 10 other words,
he only weapon Of maritime defence
md reprisal which the shameful waste OF
laval appropriations and the resulting
Impotence Of our navy have left at our
lisposal. The naval armaments of the I.
European powers are far more formida-
lie, and our own establishment is re-
Atively far weaker, than in 1853, when
II. Marcy shrank from binding US to
enounce lctters Of msrque. II we could
ot safely waive recourse to privateer-
ng then, II would be the height Of RASH
ess to forego 1t at this time. Moreover
is not our policy to keep . navy that
an cope with that Of either Of the great
overs. In the event Of foreign war,
70 must add to our strength BY priva-
Ders, just as wo should strengthen our
mall regular army by the enlistment or
olunteer forces. We spprehend, then.
hat tho New York Chamber Of Com
,erce and the other bodies representing
ur commercial interests will soc them
elves reluctantly constrsined by our
eculiar predicament TO give up any ad-
antages which might dow from extend
d neutral rights.