The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-15
Possibilities of Privateerino.

IL mas been more than sixty-five years
since the United States licensed priya-
teerlng. Public sentiment has since that
time been strongly against this species
OF naval warfare. and the growth of our
navy has really removed the last excuse
Tor the issuance of letters of marque to
the owners of private vessels. In the
event of war with Spain 1t is probable
that this government would offer to enter
into an agreement that neither govern
ment should encourage privateering, but
whether Spain would consent TO such an
agreement is doubtful. The absence of
previous agreement between the two gov
ernments on this question would make il
all the easier for Spain to reject such
proposition.
Prfvateers are defined as armed vessels
owned, equipped and differed by one or
more private persons, but sailing under
commission, usually called letters OF
marque from a belligerent state or ma
ton, which empowers the persons 10
whom 1t is granted TO attack and seize
at sea vessels or other property of its
enemy. In case of war with Spain that
nation might issue letters Of marque TO
British, French or German ships, in the
absence of agreements between those ma
tions and this, authorizing those ships
TO prey upon our commerce. Spain would
not be burdened with applications for let
ters of marque, however, for the United
States has become nation too powerful
for other countries to incur its dislike
Existing treaties with most OF the Euro
pean nations forbid their citizens from
furnishing privateers to any nation with
which the United States is at war, and II
is reasonable to believe that none Of the
South American countries would care TO
run any risk of this kind. Whether Spain
has a similar agreement with the Euro
pean powers Is not easily to be ascer-
tanned.
It is altogether probable therefore that
whatever privateering is done in case Of
war between the United States and Spain
will be confined TO the citizens of the two
warning nations The inconsequential
proportions of the commerce OF Spain VIII
offer but slight inducement for the pros
ecution Of this style of warfare, but the
commerce of the United States will be too
tempting an allurement to be resisted by
those who have money to invest IN the
pursuit. Any swift ship may, by the out
lay of capital so small that the first cap
ture will repay it twice over, be armed
and equipped as a privateer, and any IN
protected vessel sailing the high seas I'M
der the flag of this nation will be her
prev Once captured, the captive snip Will
be taken to the nearest Spanish port and
there adjudicated upon by prize court:
She may be sold or bonded to her original
owners, and then the officers ana ere"
of the priyateer will divide the prize
money.
The element of danger is always present
in the pursuit of privateering. From the
captain down to the cabin boy on such
ships as sail under letters of marque the
fear of the hangman's moose is never ao-
sent. Liable at any time to an encounter
with a. warship with a more powerful ar
mament and superior IN speed tne IL
1-o+aersman knows that he may end his
DAYS dangling from a yard-arm' but the
seas are wide and the desire for wealth
is all-powerful. Men have taken tpelr
lives in their hands for much less IMAM
might be gained through the caPtuie %
~ American liner. and if the chance ever
presents itself the privateer may again
figure in history.