New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-22
TO STOP PRIvATEERING.
PRESSURE LIKELY TO BE PUT ON SPAIN
BY GREAT POWERS.
GREAT pRrrA1N.s AND GERMANYs INTERESTS
NEGOTIATIONS THAT MAY BE FOLLOWED
BY SOMETHING srRoNGER-THE


cations that II the Spanish Government persists
IN the present announced policy of commission
ing prIvateers to prey on commerce, enectiVe
influences will be brought to bear upon her W
several OF the great commercial Powers. par
tcularly Great Britain and Germany 10 s'op
this privateering or to make 1t practically inef-
,ooti,e and harmless The action Of the United
States Government in declaring that 1t wouid
not resort to prvateerng has been received
with great satisfaction in the foreign embassies
and legations here Negotiations along THIS ii'ie
had been pending here for some time, ana are
now shifted TO Madrid, where the BRUSH
charge daffaires Is making strong representa-
t,ons IN caeasta TO prevent privateering.
Whether this will be conceded by Spain Is
doubtful as her chief reliance for prolongins
the war IL through commissioning privateers 10
harass American merchant ships or neutral
shns carving American goods. But II mas de-
veloped that this course by Spain while nohni-
nally directed against the United STATES "o"'N
operate much more injuriously against 'pe snip
ping Of Great Britain, Germany ana the o'hei
commercial Powers as the bulk OK commerce
to and from this country Is carried IN Ioreish
ships British ships, II is estimated. carry "o
nor cent OF the commerce between the United
States and Great Britain while German ana
French merchant ships also handle considerable
portions Of the trade. This has given these
Powers a material interest against privateerng'
which would subject to search and seizure any
Of their ships carrying American goods. Ihese
interests are so great that 1t is regarded as GER
tain in the best-posted diplomatic quarters that
II Spain does not relinquish privateering volun-
.ary she will practise It at her peril, as against
treat Britain. Germany and possibly some other
Powers.
II ,s understood that the British Government
has not determined upon its final line or action,
except that British merchant ships shall be pro-
tected at any hazard even If British warships
are called upon TO establish protective patrol
across the Atlantic It Is thought 10 be proba-
bic however that no defensive step OF this
character will be taken until an actual search
or seizure OF British or German merchantmen
by n Spanish privateer has occurred. In which
case Il IL expected that the Spanish Government
will be held accountable and exact limitations
placed upon her prIvateering. SO far as France
IS concerned. her commercial interests are
against prvateerng. but her sentiments are
toward allowing Spain 10 prosecute about tho
only effective means OF warfare at her disposal.
Russia Austria, Italy and nearly all the ma
lions Of Europe ard South America. some forty
In number. signers OF the Treaty OF Paris
against privateerlng, but this binds them alone.
and does not require them 70 exert influence
on Spain TO stop this mode Of warfare. II Is the
direct commercial interest OF Great Britain and
Germany which leads them 10 limit or put an
end to this policy
The action of the United States Is received
with great favor. aside from its bearing on the
approaching conflict as IL is said 10 give Amer
can adherence for the future TO the abolition OF
privateering although this country has refused
that adherence for the last forty-two years.
The present action. while not accompanied by
any formal signing Of the Treaty OF Paris. is
accepted by the foreign establishments here,
and is so made known 10 foreign establishments.
as a full adherence OF the United states 10 the
principles OF that treaty. 49,.
The first article OF the Treaty or Paris or lSoo
Is in these words:
"Privateering Is and remains abolished"
The original parties 10 the declaration were
Great Britain France, Russia. Prussia, Austria.
Sardinia and Turkey. Other countries followed
later in accepting IT. the United states ana
Spain alone holding out against it, The United
states now accedes leaving Spain alone In n
resort 10 privateerng. I, is one Of the terms OF
the declarations that the nations which accede
20 II Will enter into treaty on any or the sub
tects Il embraces with any nation not n party
10 II which does not adopt the four points OF
the declaration.
Proposals were made TO the United States 20
accede 10 the declaration. but Mr.. Marcy. then
Secretary OF stat declined 10 sign. The United
States he held at a disadvantage with
Powers maintaining large navies. and against
them reserved the right To employ privateers
It's extended seacoast he pointed out. also placed
II AT a Disadvantage. Since then. however. in
the Mexican War and the Civil War. the United
States did not resort to prvateers. although
Congress authorized the use OF privateers In the
Civil War.