El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-05-02
THE MORALS OF WARFARE.
.~X~X~ S~NSOO6

The question has often come up dur
United States and Spain the only mari
time nations that declined to join with
the other great powers in the declara-
tion of Paris in 1856. A brief recount
ing of the facts will show that the
United States has always stool, and
great nations of the earth in the move
ment for relieving war of such of its
needless horrors as the present state of
the world will permit.
Before any other nations had public
ly declared their intention Of raising
their own standard of morals the
United States submitted to several Of
the principal maritime powers the two
principles that goods under a neutral
flag are non-seizsble, and that neutral
goods are not liable to capture even if
under hostile flag; in both cases con-
trabsnd of war is excepted. In 1854
the president invited the other nations
to join with US in asserting these prin-
ciples as part of International law.
On April 16, 1856, the representa-
tives of Great Britain, Austria, Russia,
France, Prussia, and Turkey, in con-
vention at Paris, adopted declara-
ton of four principles to which nearly
all civilized nations subsequently,
acceded. The United States, Spain,
and Mexico declined. These prin-
ciples are as follows:
l. Privateering Is and remains
abo' ished.
2. A neutral flag covers enemy's
goods. except. contra band of war.
3. Neutral goods, except contra
band of war, are not liable to capture
under the enemy's flag.
4. Blockades, to be binding, must
be effective.
The United States declined to accede
been positively established just why
this position was assumed. The best
authorities agree, however, that the
reason was the unwillipgness of
the United States to abolish privateer-
ing while the other great nations
maintained enormous fleets, thus max
ing it necessary for us to keep up a
large fleet in self defense. The point
was we'll taken, and at that time SEEM
ed to be conclusive.
A few months later, on July 30, 1856,
President Pierce, in communication
to all the powers interested, offered to
60 further and adopt an dditional ar
ticle (which should strictly exempt
private property, even of citizens of
beligerents, from capture on the sea,
either by privateers or national vessel.
Great Britain refused to agree to this
and the negotiation failed" ALEXANDER
Johnston).
When the civil war began, the feder-
al government tried to get for this
country the privileges of the powers
who joined in the declaration of 1856.
On April "a, 1861, Secretary Sewa,d
to accede to the principles of the de.
clsration without qualification. To this
Great Britain, wi h the full concur.
renee of France, consented, but with
the proviso that the agreement should
not "have any bearing, direct or in
direct, on the internal differences now
in the United States" AS |
this seemed to imply that the priva-
teers already af1oat and in the service |
Of the confeieracy should not be inter
fered with, the United States declined |
TO accept it and allowed the negotia-
ton to drop.
The declaration of our government
that the principles of the Paris agree.
meot shall be adhered to, and that pri-
will not be resorted to, leaves
Spain solitary among the seafsring
,ations. Spain, while not asserting
,er Intention to use privateers, still