Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-22
PROHIBITING PRIVATEERINC.
Action Of America in Doing So on Her Part
Was a Good Move.


New York, April GA dispatch to
the Tribune from London says:
The announcement that the United
States, In the event of hostilities. will
not resort to privateerlng and will be
governed by the four rules of the de-
claration OF Paris, is considered
mastery stroke in diplomatic circles.
While Englands sympathy has been
with America from first to last, Spain
has gained some tactical advantages.
as negotiations have proceeded. The
point has been scored, not by many.
but by few English journals, that
while Spain has made series of con-
cessions to America, Congress in the
end has compelled her to fight. All the
continental journals have agreed in
describing the negotiations as one
sided, with Spain In the position of
offering one sacrifice after another
without appeasing American opinion.
1t was important that tie state de-
partment, while justlfying war on hui
name principles. should restrict the
area Of disturbance as much as posi-
BILE and guarantee security for neutral
commercial interests.
This has been done by the official an
nouncement from Washington that the
government Will adhere to the prin-
ciples OF the declaration of Paris OF
1866. Nothing could be more satisfactory
to England. Germany and France in
commercial interests. 1t is a
will respect the four rules of
the declaration of Paris, dis
countenanced privateering, protect
neutral goods under any flag and the
enemy sailing under neutral nag
with the single exception of contra
band of war, and recognize the neces-
sity of making blockade effective in
order to render II binding. These four
pledges viii be the safeguards OF Eu-
ropean commerce during the impending
war
So far as the American practice Is
concerned. Spain will be placed on her
defensive. She will be compelled TO re-
peat these assurances or else ALLEVIATE
European sympathy. The judgment
expressed in diplomatic circles is that
the state department has adopted
course which will embarrass Spain.
conciliate the commercial and mercan-
tile classes of England and the con
Dhent ana strengthen the pusIGoh u
the United States.
Every one Of the four rules of the
declaration OF Paris is In favor Of
America in event OF hostilities, Dip
lomats perceive at once that America
has nothing to lose and much to gain
from the abolition of prlvateefin6 and
the protection of neutral commerce and
private property under any flag and
the establishment of the prinlpes that
a blockade In order to be binding must
be effective. 1t would be to the mani
fest advantage of the United States
II both beligerents were under obliga-
lions to respect the declaration OF Paris.
The state department, by taking high
grounds in ti-a.~eerest of civilization
may force Sp0iNNo follow II. II spain
draws back owing TO a wanton desire
to capture and destroy private proper
ty at sea, 1t will be an offence against
the commercial interests and moral
opinion OF Europe.
This is the judgment of diplomatists,
members of Parliament and representa-
tives of mercantile England and they
sincerely hope that the announce
ment of the departments intention
in today's papers will be followed
by similar assurances from Spain. II
cannot be doubted that the adherence
of the United States to the declaration
OF Paris Will strengthen English feeling
In favor OF American aad greatly i'm
pair the anti American sentiment pre-
vaillng on the continent. 1t viii be an
appeal TO sclf-interest all around, yet
will have Il moral Justification In the
promotion OF the high ends OF civliza-
ton.
Air. Balfour only needs an assur-
nnce of this kind in order to author
lie a rigorous enforcement of the neu-
trality acts which viii shut the Span
ish fleet out Of British coaling stations
and cripple II. The declaration OF
Paris leaves contraband of war an un-
certain quantity to be determined by
prize courts: but Great Britain. which
will have the decisive influence In reg
ulating neutral obligations in the i'm
pending conflict, has an interest of
her own I'm chasing coal in the cate
CORY.
The confirmation by ministers Of the
reports OF the attitude of the United
States respecting the four rules of the
declaration of Paris was greeted with
hearty cheers by the members OF
Parliament. Spain's attitude was re-
earded as doubtful In spite of the hope
EXPRESSED by MIR. Balfour and the at
tofEey general that the Madrid govern
mert would be willing to give its ad-
hcrence to the same principles respect
ing neutral goods and possibly pri-
watering as we'll. Indeed the opinion
was expressed by members that with
out priVnteering the war would be
ended before 1t was fairly begun by
Spain.
There is strong pro-American
sentiment in the House of Commons
which is likely TO lead to the organ
igation of n public meeting for the eX-
preston of sympathy with the United |
States on the Cuban question.
Mr. Morton, member for Davenport. |
is arranging details for a meeting at |
an early date in queens Hall and is |
supported by other members OF Parlia-
rusiit OF both parties.