The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-22
POWERS MAY GEORGE SPAIN.
They May Prevent Her from Resort
ing to PrixateerknG.

They May Prevent Her from Resort
ing to Privateering.
WASHINGTON, April q. - There are
strong indications that if the Spanish gov
eminent persists in the present announced
policy of commissioning privateers to prey
On commerce, effective influence will be
brought to bear upon her by several of the
great commercial powers, particularly Great
Britain and Germany, to stop his privateer-
ing, or to make it practically ineffective and
harmless. The action of the United States
government in declaring that it would not
resort to privateering has been received
with great satisfaction in the foreign en-
bassies and legations here. Negotiations
along this line had been pending here for
some time and are now shifted to Madrid,
where the British charge d'affaires is MAX
ing strong representations to Senior Sagasta
to prevent privateering. Whether this will
be conceded by Spain is doubtful, as her
chief reliance for protracting war is
through commissioning privateers to har-
ass American merchant ships, or neutral
ships carrying American goods. But 1T mas
developed that this course by Spain, while
nominally directed against the United
States would operate much more injuriously
against the shipping of Great Britain, Ger
many and the other commercial powers, as
the bulk of commerce to and from this
country is carried in foreign ships. British
ships it is estimated carry so per cent. OF
the commerce between the United States
and Britain, while German and French mer-
chant ships also handle considerable por-
tons of the trade This has given these
powers a material interest against priva-
teering, which would subject to search and
seizure any of the ships carrying American
goods. These interests are so great that
it is regarded as certain in the best posted
diplomatic quarters that if Spain does not
relinouish privateering voluntarily, she will
practice it at her peril as against Great
Britain, Germany and possibly some othef
powers.
ment has not determined upon its final line
of action except that British merchant
ships shall be protected at any hazard, even
if British war ships called upon TO es-
tablish a protective patrol across the Attain
tic 1t is thought TO be probable, however,
that no defensive step of this character VIII
bo taken until an actual search or seizure
of a British or German merchant snip mace
by a Spanish privateer has occurred IN
which case. ii is expected, the Spanish gov
eminent will be held accountable and exact
limitations placed upon her privateerlng. 90
far as France is concerned. her commer9ldl
interests are against priVateerlns, put her
sentiments are toward allowing Spain 20
prosecute about the only effective means OF
warfare at her disposal. Russia. Aus' iIIl
italy and nearly all of the nations OF Eu-
rope and South America. some forty in mum,
her are signed to the treaty of PARIS against
privateering, but this binds them alone anu
does not require them to exert influence on
Spain to stop this mode OF warfare. it Is
the direct commercial interests of Great
Britain and Germany which lead tEena 10
limit or put an end To this policy.
The action Of the United states e 5 II re- e.
give Americas adherence i'm the future to
the abolition of privateerng, although this
country has refused that adherence for the
last forty-two years. The present action
while not accompanied by any formal sign
ing of the treaty of Paris. Is accented By
the foreign establishments here, and IS 50
made known to foreign governments as q
full adherence OF the United States TO the
principles of that treaty.
The first article OF the treaty uf Paris
of 1855 Is in these words: "Prvateering Is
and remains abolished The original par
ties 10 the declaration were Great Britain
France Russia. Prussia Austria, Sardinia
and Turkey. other countries followed later
in accepting It, the United States and Spain
alone holding out against II. The lnited
States now accedcs, leaving Spain alone IN