New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-21
PRIvATEERING FORBIDDEN.
POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES OFF,
CIALLY ANNOUNCED.

RIGHTS OF NEuTRALs AND BINDING BLOCK
AIDE DEFINEp-AN IMPORTANT ADVANTAGE
IN RETAINING THE GOODWILL OF
OTHER NATIONS GAINED
ley TELEGRAPH TO TnrBrSE.l
Washington. April 20.--The State Department
/ issued an authorized statement to-day regard
ing the international relations OF this Govern
ment In the event Of war. which practcaiiy an
nominees the adherence OF the United States TO
the four rules adopted by the Congress OF Paris
in 1916 the language Of the announcement hav-
ing been copied verbatim from the instructions
Of Secretary Seward in August 1851 to the
/ American representative in Austria io-uaS
/ statement is as follows:
In the event Of hostilitles between the United
states and Spain it will be the policy or this
/ Government not to resort TO privateerlhs ne
! Government will adhere TO the following ruies.
Tirst-The neutral flag covers enemies eoods
/ with the exception Of contraband or war
Second-Neutral goods not contrapahu OF wa,
nre not liable to conhscation under enemies
! naC.
Third Rlockades in order to be binding. must
b. effective
This announcement. Il Is understood. has been
simultaneously made through the usual dipio-
matte channels to all maritime nations IN order
20 clear away any doubts that might have ex-
,e,.d as % tho attitude OF the United States In
war with Spain. which the only other coun-
try on the Atlantic falling TO take part IN the
Paris agreement. The question has arisen as 10
whether tho United states would assent 10 pri-
Watering IN the impending conflict as means
/ of rcprlgal against the admitted policy or spain
10 continue 50 far as she might be permitted ny
tho other Powers. 10 pursue piratical poHcy'
/ ro-lay's declaration removes any doubt that
fa- md n
loss srlln promptly follows the lead with sim
liar assurance tho United States has gained
conspicuous advantage toward retaining the
goodwill of the rcst Of the world. which she has
possessed throughout the Cuban mbroglo.
UNITED STATES TOOK THE LEAD
1t is not generally known. even at home. that
the United States initiated the movement which
has placed the abolition OF privateering among
the almost universally recognized principles OF
international law President Lincoln In his an
nuaI Message to Congress in 1861 furnished
copy Of the instructions ~ Secretary seward 10
the American Ministers in Europe. dated Aprii
- Of that year. setting forth record OF the
United states in this matter. The opening para
graphs were follows:
The advocate. % bcnovolence and the believer,
n human progress encouraged ~ IN" r.T y, 20
married aueI0rafipus Il the barhnritles OF WA
~. Won 1rc v.I aware. recently engaged with much
assIlulfy 90 erdeayorinF 10 effect some mo INA,
tons = The NV - nations tn regard 20 .he ',sn.s
,.r,e me praaldent OF the United states in
/ thc year i.5i submitted 20 the several maritime
nations two proportions to which he solicited ther
assent As permanent principles OF interha''o"a' Jaw
] ~.
"Firs'- Free snps make free goods; that Is TO say
tina. tie effects or goods belonging to subjects or
ci,zcrs Of a Power or State war are free from
capture OF conas, alton when found OF, o2ard o,
neutral vessels WIKI the exception OF articles con-
irnhaui q war.
Second -rha, the property Of neutral, on board ard
O: lu enemy vessel IL not subject TO conhscation
unless t.e .ame be contraband OF war
osl,ions vcre su6mi,tri Expressed ther Willingness
g. accept 'h"m. while some others which "er. VIZ, III
,hercon ,n'r The return q peace should present
whaf fhe. thought would hc a more suspicious sea
son f.r such interesting negotiations.
PAS "iIi conslst.d OF several maritime Powers.
represented ~ their plenipo:en'iaries. namely.
s,r.,n,a and Turkey That congress having taken
reaiy been made IN this letter. came 20 an agree
TO- ,sy 9 a'owing X, nam ,GF" OF
& IS os ana 6 Tsmsl. .s. HSD'h s6os,
WIZ the cXc"puon OF con,raband OF war
trahanl - war are not liable 20 capture under en-
'I5artII- Blo-kades. in order 70 he binding mus,
le ,rcstye. NAT Is to say mantained by forces
really sufficient 20 prevent access 20 the coast OF
Thc ,s-~crnen, pledged The parties constituting
tho congress 20 nrng mis- declaration thus mace
represented ~ that body. and 10 invite them 70 ac-
ceie 20 D. The congress. however. NJ The same
time ln,!s'ed in tho first place that n" declara-
zion should hc binding only on IN" Powers which
,,.re or should become parties to II as one whole
AND iudlvisble compact. and. secondly. that tho
PARTIES who had agreed and those who should after
vtrd arc.Go 20 70 should after tho adoption ~ tho
same cnfer into arrangement on tn" applca-
tiou - maritime law IN time % war without st!pu-
hitting for B. strict Observance" OF the -FOUR points
r..o.yod hy the declaration. The declaration which
! huVN thus substantially recited OF course. pre-
vented oil tho Powers which became parties 20 u
from accepting The two prppOsi' lions which had
h.on before submitted 90 the maritime nations by
tno President Of the United States.
Secretary Seward. continuing. explained that
the Paris declaration with the conditions an
rexcd was inadm!ssible by the United states In
three respects.
Frs,-That this Government could not assent
TO the abolition OF pryateering without an
amendment eXempting the private property OF
individuals though belonging 10 belligerent
States from seizure or cOnflscation.
Srcond-That for this reason the stipulation
that the propositions must be taken all together
without notifications could not be allowed.
Third That the fourth condition was inconsis-
ten, with n proper regard TO the National sover-
eighty 81 the United States.
SIGNING THE RESOLUTIONS