The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-14
PRIVATEERING.
Possibilities of Plumber, Attended by
other Things Not So Alluring.

Chicago TimeS-Herald.
1t has been more than sixty-ive years
since the United States licensed privateer
ing. Public sentiment has since that time
been strongly against this species IF naval
warfare, and the growth of our navy has
really removed the last excuse for the isSu
ance of letters of marque to the owners
of private vessels. In the event IF war with
Spain it is probable that this government
would offer to enter into an agre ement that
neither government should encourage Tri-
watering, but whether Spain would consent
to such an agreement is doubtful. The a1-
sence of previous agreement batween the
two governments on this question woLid
make it all the easier for Spain to reject
Nearly all the civilized nations abolished
privateering years ago. Both Great Britain
and this Nation impose severe penalties on
those citizens or residents who accept COM
missions, equip priVateerS or enlist men for
service in any foreign war England,
France, Austria Prussia and Russia entered
into an agreement in 1885, after the CrIn,ean
war; by which privateering was abolished,
and nearly all the other maritime nations
affixed their signatures later. Spain IND
the United States refused to sign the agree
ment, the comparative smallness of CUR
navy offering a justification for its refusal
to enter into the agreement. The reason
which prompted Spain to stand out is not
so apparent, as her navy at that time was
pared with the navies of other nations.
The declaration of Paris in 1885, in which
the agreement on privateering was con-
tanned, provided that privateering should
be abolished; that the neutral flag should
cover an enemy's goods with the exception
of contraband of war; that neutral goods,
were not liable to capture under an enemy's
flag, and that blockades, in order to be
binding, should be effective.
Secretary of State Marcy offered to join
in the declaration of Paris in return for the
exemption from capture Of all innocent pri-
vate property. including that of the enemy,
but the offer was rejected. 1t was held by
the statesmen of this country that we would
have to depend upon privateering to supple
ment our navy in case of war, and the wis
dom of their Judgment was proved soon
after when the civil war began. 1t was
then that the United States adopted meas
ures so effective as to render privateerfng
by foreign ships too hazardous and uncom-
Portable a calling for the Europeans to
| adopt. Notice was given to all the foreign
nations that any ships of theirs caught pri-
watering would be regarded as pirates and
treated accordingly, and it is extremely
likely that a similar notification would fol-
low q declaration of hostihties between this
Nation and Spain.
Privateers are defined as armed vessels,
owned, equipped and differed by one or
more private persons. but sailing under a
commission, usually called letters of
marque, from belligerent state or nation,
which empowers the persons to 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 Ger
man ships. in the absence of agreements
between those nations and this, authorizing
those ships to prey upon our commerce.
Spain would not be burdened with applica-
tions for letters 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
European nations forbid their citizens from
furnishing privateers to any nation with
which the United States is at war and it is
reasonable to believe that none of the South
American countries would care to run any
risk of this kind. Whether Spain has
similar agreement with the European pow
ers is not easily to be ascertained
1t is altogether probable therefore tina:
whatever priyateering is done in case Of
war between the United States and Spain
will be confined TO the citizens of the two
warning nations. The ineonseluental pro-
portions of the commerce OF Spain will offer
but slight inducement for the prosecution