The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-29
THE EFFICACY
OF BLOCKADES.
Through This Means the Federal
Forces Subdued the Confederacy.
THE EFFECT OF PRlVATEERING
Confcdcracy Had No Privatcers and
No Commerce to Destroy. 49, They
We're Commissioned Ships.
Our Navy Superior To SPANS

LEXINGTON. VA. April ESPECIAL
In his address before the University
body yesterday morning. President vii
son referred to the beginning OF actua
hostilities with Spain and explained tho
declarations contained in the Treaty Of
Paris and rules regulating blockades.
Whatever may have been our views.
said Mr.. Wilson. up TO this time since
our country has spoken there can be nc
difference now. We all heartily pray for
its success in every encounter and that
IT may bring the war to a speedy and
successful termination with increase OF
honor to the American nation
THE BLOCKADE.
Referring to the proclamation Of tho
President declaring a blockade OF the
chief ports Of Cuba. he explained that a
blockade under international law IS the
closing Of the enemys ports and coast
10 neutral commerce. As this seriously
affects the interests Of neutral nations,
they have a right to insist-first. upon
formal notice and, second, that the
blockade must be a real one. The prac-
tice Of paper hlockades resorted 10 by
France and England during the NapO-
leonc wars was 80 unjust and 50 har-
RAISING TO neutral commerce that. after
the Crimean war. I'm the Treaty Of Paris
the leading nations agreed that block
AIDES 10 be binding must be effective, and
this principle is now recognized by all
civilized nations az rule OF international
law and natural justice.
VIOLATION RISKY.
Violation OF blockade by a neutral ship
involves the conhscation OF both ship and
goods. and blockade runner is liable 20
CAPTURE from the time II leaves the home
port until 20 reaches that port on its re-
turn. A blockade is frequently most
effective means OF waging war. and Mr..
Wilson declared that 10 was largely
through the persistent and successful
blockade Of the southern ports that the
United States succeeded in reducing the
COnfederacy.
Privateering. he said. was the use Of
private vessels. armed. equipped and
Differed by private persons under COM
mission from belligerent TO pray upon
vessels and property Of its enemy az sea
for private gain.
LOCALIZED PIRACY.
II has some Of the features Of legalized
piracy and tended TO create trouble with
neutrals. The declaration Of Paris abol-
ished privateering between the parties
thereto. and this declaration has been
agreed to by all important nations eN-
cept the United States. Spain and Mexico.
Our reason for not agreeing originally
was that we did not maintain a large
naval establishment, We must in war use
our commercial marine. We had offered
10 agree If the rule were etended 70
protect all private property. not contra
band at sea as IL IS generally protected
on land.
CONFEDERACN HAD 40 PRIVA-
TIERS.
In 0lr Civil war the United States
commissioned no privateers. as the South
had no commerce TO pray upon. and the
threat Of the United States to treat as
pirates all foreigners who accepted COM
missions offered bY the Confederate
States. with the warning Of the foreign
governments that they would not pro-
tect their subjects accepting such COM
missions. preNnted the issuing Of let
tiers by the C6nfederacy. The so-called
Confederate priVateers were really COM
missiond ships OF the Confederate navy.
The President had signihed his intention
TO abide by the Paris declaration. and
Spain has announced n like intention
for the present, though reserving the
right to change her policy I'm the pro-
.;ress Of the war.
In all the history OF Spain, said Mr.
Wilson her people have never shown any
lack Of courage Oy endurance or even
heroism, but Modern wars especially
naval wars, now call into play so much
expert scientific knowledge and so much
mechanical intelligence that our immense
superiority I'm both these respects. as
well as in enterprise and I'm qulckness
OF action and decision, turn the chances
decidedly I'm our favor-even I'm a combat
Of apparently equal forces.