The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-25
WARTIME PRIvATEERING.
NEITHER UNCLE SAM NON SPAIN
COMArlTTED AGAINST II.

nat the Chances Are That In Case OF Hostiiities
ships or Neutral Nations Wouid Net Seek
for Letters or N1araue from Either BeliiE-
ersnt-Treaty Agreements TouchinE This.
In the event of war with Spain the question
Of privatcerinR would be important. This
form OF attack, which Is practically licensed
piracy. has not been practiced by vessels of
the United States for more than sixty-avo
years, and 1t is probable that this nation
would enter into an agreement with Spain
that neither side should Issue letters of mar lue
to privateers. Whether Spain would agree to
this Is another question. With her impond.
ing national bankruptcy, the commerce Of this
country would DO a golden allurement to re.
trievo her fallen finances. 1t is the poorer
country always that benefits .most by prlva.
tccring, since It has moro to gain and less to
lose.
Privatccrs arc defined as armed vessels,
owned. equipped and differed by one or more
private persons, but sailing under a commits
sion usually called letters of marquo from a
belligerent state, which empowers the person or
persons TO whom 1t is granted to attack and
seize at sea vessels or other property Of its
enemy. That Is to say, in case of war with
Spain she might issue letters Of marque to
British, French. or German ships, in the absence
Of specified agreements between those nations
and this. whereby those ships could prey upon
our commerce. 1t is probable, however, that In
such event the United States would do as II did
in the civil %war-notify the European nations
that any ships of theirs caught privateering
would be regarded as pirates and treated nc.
cordingly. Thereupon the European nations
notified their subjects that 1t would not afford
them protection as privateers. As a consequence
all vessels Of the Confederate States fitted out
as destroycrs wore regularly commits
stoned rs part Of the navy. Municipal laws Of
many States prohibit privateering. Both Great
Britain and this nation impose severe penalties
on citizens or residents who accept commissions,
equip privateers, or enlist men for service In any
foreign war.
In most civilized nations privatecring has
to this effect was not entered into BY tho United
States. AS nearly as can DO discovered from
declaration dec Of Paris apS Which, si1o did Sut away Sisy: With
privatccring in 1856. after the Crimcan war,
was as follows:
y. Privateering is and remains abolished.
"2. The neutral flag covers enemy's goods
with the exception of contraband of war.
traband Of war. arc not liable to Capture under
an cnemy's flag.
~. Blockades. in order to be binding. must be
enective-that is to say. maintained by a force
The present declaration is not and shall not
be binding except between those powers who
have acceded or shall accede to it,
England, France, Austria. Prussia and Rus
STA were inc original BlRnerS. Nearly all the
other maritime powers OF the world followed:
1t was because Of the comparative smallness OF
our navy that this nation refused to join in the
of war we should have to depend upon priva- |
teering to supplement our navy. Secretary of
ton from capture Of ali innocent private prop
crty, even the enemy's, to give up privateering
and to accept the other articles; This amend
the United States adopted measures SO effective
in the civil war as TO render privateering by
a calling for the Europeans to stomach.
With Spain and this country both beyond the
opportunity Tor extensive privatecrins on both
sides in case of war. Any swift ship may, by
an outlay of capital so small that the first cap;
ture will repay it twice over, be armed and |
sci sailing the high seas under tie flag Of the
nearest port Of the nation Under whose letters
of maruuc the privateer sails, and there adjudi-
demned she may be sold or bonded. as IS done
in most cases, to her original owners. The
privateer's officers and crew divide the prize
This. is a quick way of amassirg riches, but
there is always the danger of being overtaken
K privateer is not suitably equipped FOR dis.
sensions with a warship. Still, the sea is big.
o one If If ' dsn l;ssn's Tb e1Fs. are be m smit IN she %s sHn st hsse
to-day who made their fortunes privateering:
In the event of war Spain would find few
prey upon our commerce. Tho South American
countries would probably not care to incur our
dislike In this way. Besides the preventive
municipal laws mentioned above. we have urea
ties with various nations forbidding the citi-
zens of either nation to furnish privateers to a
third nation with which the other was at war.
Thus, when we were fighting Spain. France
could not, by the terms o. our treaty with her,
permit her citizens to accept letters of marque
and fit out privateers to modest our commerce.. |
Whether Spain has a similar agreement with the
EuroDean powers. there is no means near at hand
Of knowing. But anyway. her would
furnish but meagre inducements TO this form
of legitimatized piracy. and her navy is suffi.
GENTLY formidable to render the risk out of all
proportion to tho prospective prizes. In short,
the game would not be worth the candle.
1t is probable, therefore,, that whatever priva.
teering is, done in case of war between the
United States and Spain will be almost entirely
If not quite confined to the citizens of the two
warning nations. Sentiment in this country has
always been against privateering as a method Of
making, and MS our navy il now strong |
enough to stand OF itself, what necessity or
AWAY |