The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-04-23

ceeded. The point has been scored. not
by many. but by a few English journals.
that while Spain has made series OF
concessions to America. congress in the
end has compelled her TO fight. All the
continental journals have agreed in de-
sCribing the negotiation as one-sided with
Spain in the position OF offering one sac
rihce after another without pleasing
American opinion. 1t was important that
the state department, while justifylng
war on humane principles should restrict
the area OF disturbance as much as pos
sible and guarantee security for neutral
commercial interests. This has been done
by the official announcement from Wash
ington that the government will adhere
to the principles OF the declaration of
Paris Nothing could be more satisfac-
tory to England. France and Germany.
II is pleGsed that the United States will
respect the four rules of the declaration
OF Paris. discountenance privateering,
protect neutral goods under any flag and
the enemy sailing under a neutral flag
with the single exception OF contraband
Of war, and recognize the necessity Of
making a blockade effective in order TO
render 1t binding, These four pledges
will be the safeguards of European COM
merce in the pending war. SO far as the
American practice Is concerned. Spain
will be placed on her defensive. She will
be compelled TO respect these assurances
or else ALLEVIATE European sympathy.
The Judgment in diplomatic circles Is
that America has adopted a course which
will embarrass Spain. conciliate the COM
mercial and mercantile classes OF Eng
land and the continent and strengthen
the position OF the United States. Every
one OF the four rules of the declara ton
of Paris is in favor of America in the
event of hostillties. Diplomats perceive
at once that America has nothing to
lose and much to 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 a blockade in order to
be binding must be effective. II would be
to the manifest advantage of the United
States If both belligerents We're under OBJ
legations to respect the declaration Of
Paris The state department by taking
high grounds in the interest Of civiliza-
tion may force Spain to follow IT, II
Spain draws back owing to a wanton
desire to capture and destroy private
property at sea 1t will be an offense
against the commercial interests and
moral opinion OF Europe.
This is the judgment of diplomausts,
members of parliament and representa-
tives of mercantile England, and they
sincerely hope that the announcement of
the intention in today's papers Will be
followed by similar assurances from
Spain, 1t cannot be doubted that the ad-
herence of the United States to the de-
claration of Paris will strengthen Eng
lish feeling in favor of America and
greatly impair the anti-American sentl-
ment on the continent. 1t will be an ap-
peal to self-interest all around, yet Will
have a moral justification in the high
aims of civilization
Mr. Balfour only needs assurance OF
this kind In order to authorize rigorous
enforcement of the neutrality acts which
will shut the Spanish fleet out of Brit
ish coaling stations and cripple It, The
declaration of Paris leaves contraband
of war an uncertain quantity to be deter
mined by prize courts, but Great Britain
which will have the decisive influence
in regulating neutral obligations in the