Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1898-04-28
A MAsTERLY STROKE.
United States Acted wisely in Deck1r-
ing Against Priyatcering.


New York, April IA dispatcI, 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 decIara.
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 al
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 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
and guarantee security for neutral colD-
mercial 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. It is pledged that the
United States will respect the four
rules of the declaration Of Paris, dis
cOuntenance priyateering, 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 il
concerned, Spain will be placed on the
defensive. She will be compelled to
repeat these assurances or else alienate
European sympathy.
The judgment in diplomatic circles
is that America has adopted course
which will embarrass 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
lea has nothing to lose and much 10
gain from the abolition of privateering
and the protection of neutral commerce.
and private property under any flag,
and the establishment of the principle
that blockade in orller to be binding
must be effective.
1t would be to the manifest advan-
tage of the United States il both bel
ligerents were under obligations to re-
spect the declaration of Paris. TIE
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 tie
interests and moral opin-
ion of Europe.
This is the judgment Of ofdiplomatists,
of parliament and representa-
tives of mercantile England, and they
hope that the announcement
of the American intention in today's
papers will be followed by similar as
;urances from Spain. 1t cannot be
ioubted that the adherence OF the
United States to the declaration Of
Paris will strengthen English feeling
n favor of America and greatly impair
he anti.American sentiment on the
continent. 1t will be an appeal to
elf-interest all around, yet will have {
moral justification in the high aims vi