The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-04-29
A MASTERLY STROKE.
United States Acted Wisely in Dec1ar-
ing Against Privateering.

ing Against Privateering.
New York, April 25.-A dispatch to
the Tribune from London says: The
announcement that the United States,
in the event of hostilities, will not re-
sort to privateering and will be gov
erned by the four rules of the declara
tion of Paris, is considered a mastery
stroke in diplomatic circles While
England's sympathy has been with
America from first to last, Spain has
gained some tactful advantages as
negotiations have proceeded. The
point has been scored, not by many,
but by a few English journals, that
while Spain has made a series Of con-
cessions to America, congress in the
end has compelled her to fight. All the
continental journals have agreed in de-
scribing the negotiations as one-sided,
with Spain in the position of offering
one sacrifice after another, without
pleasing American opinion.
1t was important that the state de-
partment, while justifying war on
humane principles, should restrict the
area of disturbance as much as possible
anu CCOdIiby 1OI 1Odsi al SOLA-
merciaI interests. This has been done
by the official announcement from
Washington that the government will
adhere to the principles of the declara-
tion of Paris. Nothing could be more
satisfactory to England, France and
Germany. 1t is pledged that the
United States will respect the four
rules of the declaration of Paris, dis
countenance privateering, protect neu
trail goods under any flag and the enc
my sailing under neutal flag, with
the single exception of contraband of
war, and recognize the necessity of
making blockade effective in order to
render it binding. These four pledges
will be the safeguards of European
commerce in the pending war.
So far as the American practice is
concerned, Spain will be placed on the
defensive. She will be compelled to
repeat these assurances or else ALLEVIATE
European sympathy.
The Judgment in diplomatic circles
is that America has adopted a course
which will EN- barrass Spain, conciliate
the commercial and mercantile classes
of England and the continent and
strengthen the position of the United
States. Every one of the four rules of
the declaration of Paris is in favor of
America in tho event of hostilities
Diplomats perceive at once that Amer
ica has nothing to lose and much to
gain from the abolition of privateering
and the proteetion of neutral commerce
and private property under any flag,
and the establishment of the principle
that blockade in order to be binding
must be effective.
1t would be to the manifest advan-
tage of the United States if both bel
ligerents were under obligations to re-
spect the declaration of Paris. The
state department, by taking high
grounds in the interest of civilization,
may force Spain to follow it. If Spain
draws back, owing to wanton desire
to capture and destroy private property
at sea, it will be an offense against the
commercial interests and moral opin-
ion of Europe.
This is the judgment of fdiplomatists,
members of parliament and representa-
tives of mercantile England, and they
sincerely hope that the announcement
of the American intention in today's
papers will be followed by similar as
surances from Spain. 1t cannot be
doubted that the adherence OF the
United States to the declaration of
Paris will strengthen English feeling
in favor of America and greatly impair
the anti-American sentiment on the
continent. 1t will be an appeal to
self-interest all around, yet will have
moral justification in the high aims of
civilization.