The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-14
The Probabilities
as to PriVdteeriDg
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun,
~ PAIN and the United States are
W. the only two maritime countries
~ of consequence that do not adhere
WI to the Declaration of Paris, made
in 1856, which agreed to abandon
privateering. The third country Is Mex
leo which has little merchant marine
and less navy Thus far we have heard
of no applications to our government for
letters of maruue either from home or
foreign merchant ships. Spain's COM
merce IT is true, is far inferior TO ours
When she has taken all her merchant
vessels that can be used as auxiliary
cruisers or as armed transports there will
be still less of it, notably in the trans
oceanic trade. Our navy department,
however, has had compiled a list of the
Spanish merchant marine, and 1t COM
prises over twenty steam lines, including
over 100 vessels. Nearly sixty Of them
are put down as I'm the transatlantic
trade although a portion of them may
run also to England or to Africa. over
forty more trade with England and Ger
many or also between coast ports. -Four
go to the Canaries, eight 10 North Al
rica, and as many more to the Balearic
Islands, while over forty are put down
exclusively to the coasting trade \ very
large portion of these steamers are
freight boats, while the government has
already taken some as auxiliary cruisers
or transports.
But while there are thus spois i'm pros
poct for pTiNateeTs We do not look for
much ir any, resort by our government
to letters Of marQue. The reasons for
this conclusion are many To begin with
orr true policy is TO do with ships Of the
navy the work which used to he in
trusted to privotecrs W,vSave not only
lifted mp a flying squadron but have
bought for the navy many Of the fast
est liners ana steam yachts that could
he secured. The stimulus to eNrrtion
which comes from the moiety Of the prize
belonging TO the CaptOrs, after due COn-
| demuation bya court should be furnished,
| as far as possible 10 the government s
Town crews. Again, there IL a great scare
/ lty Of s'amou for our navy ana commits
/ sionng privateers would still further re-
/ duCo tho supply. The government for
1 this If for no other reason would find
/ It's true policy that Of making its regu-
| lar navy furnish the only means of taxi
/ ing part I'm the war on the sea, and the
| only method Of earning prize money.
! We already see move in this direction
! by us allowing shOr, terms Of enlistment,
/ and even enlistment for the voyage, 10
| those who continue to serve on the pur-
! chased merchant ships This gives them
! an advantage like that which attracts
I men to priNdteeIing, and insuTes ready
/ exchange IN case or capture. I'm the civil
! war We found this policy advisable. ships
| and crews being taken into the regular
| naval service, and their officers commits
stoned with appointments as acting naval
] officers.
! o
Another consideration Is that ships Of
| the regular navy are not only under
! strlcter discipline than privateers, hut
! have other motives than prize money IN
| vhw, Their officers must look out foI
! professional reputation ana strict obedi,
3 pu"@ 10 orders 60" thig ""uSou 100 'hrN