The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-11-01
AS TO PRIVATEERING
A Peculiar Mode of Warfare Equal
to Piracy.
1t Is Carried On by ships Manned by
Men Who Belong TO the Bru-
tai and LayTIess RIe-
menf.

Spaniards are anxious to engage in pri-
Watering against the United States
makes that peculiar mode Of warfare
a matter of interest to many people.
By most Of the civilized nations Of the
world privateering has been declared
equal to piracy. 1t is absolutely pro-
hibited in Europe by countries that are
carrying On war against each other.
This, however, is rot part of the gen
eraI code of international law. but the
result Of special agreement reached
by the powers at a conference held in
Paris at the close of the Crimean war
in 1856.
Simple and unequivoca1 terms express
the new rule then adopted. 'PriTateer-
ing is and remains abolished" il said,
and, while it was binding only upon
those who accepted IT, and only in their
dealings with each other, ii soon came
TO be accepted by all the civilized na-
tions, and they all now come under its
provision.
Great Britain, France, Russia, Prus-
sia. Austria, Sardinia and Turkey were
the original parties to the agreement OF
1s56, but at present about 30 powers
are included. The United States, Spain
and Mexico were the only important ex-
ceptions at the present writing until
Uncle Sam disayoxed all intention Of
privateering IN the present war
When the aboIiShment of this bar
barrie relic Of medieval times was dis
cussed the United States was invited
to join. but declined. Mr.. Marcy was
then secretary of state, and he took the
ground that this country had not as
large naval force as the powers who
formulated and adopted the rule, hence
il was decidedly favorable TO them. but
exceedingly unfavcrable to those who
had small naval forces and few ships
But there came 4 time when the
United States would have been glad 20
see the law work in its favor. That was
during the civil war. Mr.. Seward
thought it wise to reopen negotiations
for the purpose Of putting the confed-
crate Privateers under the ban by &C
ceding TO the agreement.
The powers, however. declared that
A-ANA NAe4AALA y -
i've, and they would not permit IT. So
the matter was again dropped. and roth
ing has been done since to 20 away with
the rather isolated custom. With the
exception OF the present war the United
States stands II line with Mexico and
Spain, and at variance with the rest of
the family OF TIE great nations On
earth.
While az adherence 10 this barbarous
principle Is Characteristic Of Spain and
her dOminions, il is decidedly against
the humane and liberal policy sub
scribed to by the United States.
Although . privatser obtains Ger
tain commission from his government,
called letter Ct marque, his prime OBJ
Jet is plunder-nOthing more than !
war of plun6er-wsgsd sga;nst the IL
roecnt commerce OF warning nations.
Ii this respect il IS equivalent TO piracy.
Privateeri1g cannot be carried OF
without methods that are dangerously
Piratieal. The prize money, under the
sanction cf<lhe law. Is a7pcrtioned
among the crew after the manner CT
buccaneers who parcel out their booty.
Moreover. pTivateeriag crews are com
monty made up OF Een who belong 10
the brutal AID lawless element OF 4
community CT country. They are not
under the eomE7snd C military officers
who are responsible TO tke government
for their actions, and discipline, that
ought to be OF the most rigid Kind on
board a privateeTing vessel. is apt 10 be
extremely lax
While privateers are rot entitled to
the full rights which the eomity of M
tons extends 10 public ships of war.
they usually take more than they are
entitled TO, and some Of the most
bloody battles were fought on vessels
thus commissioned against innocent
parties.
The act Of congress OF June 50, 1854,
sets forth that all public ships within
signaling distance are entitled to share
in the proceeds of the capture of 4 prize
vessel. aud it can be easily seen that
this construction, where it interferes
with the love OF plumber by the privs-
teer, can lead TO desperate actions on
the part of unserupulous owners of
these vessels.-St. Louis Republic.