New-York tribune., 1898-12-02
PRIVATE PROPERTY AT SEA.
CT ,MBER OF COMMERCE URGES ITS PRO-
lection IN WAR

THE PRESIDENT ASKED TO CALL AN INTER
NATIONAL coNGREss-H. II. HANNA TALKS
ON SOUND MONEY
The regular monthly meeting OF the Chamber Of
Commerce held yesterday. President Alex
ander f. Orr presided. and among those present
was H. II. Hanna. chairman OF the Executive
Committee OF the Indianapolis Sound Money Con-
vention.
Gustav II. Schwab, chairman OF the Committee
m Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws. sub
r,,tted the report OF his committee on a memorial
10 the President urging him to convene an inter-
national congress at Washington consider the
question OF making private property free
from capture in war time. In substance the report
declared that this country had for three-quarters
Of century urged such exemption OF merchant
craft and cargo not contraband OF while
violating blockade, and when the Government
withheld its approval OF the Declaration OF Paris
4, was because we had then the largest merchant
marine in the world and small Navy. and it was
considered unw!se 10 give up the right 10 employ
rrvateers protection for such commerce. The
Increase of the Navy and the uselessness Of
priyateers as a means OF protection have 80 dis
posed the matter that oppose privateering.
The committee believes the time opportune 10 Sc
cure universal recognition OF the principle that pri
yate property the should he secure as
property on land The secretary Of the Chamber
IS 10 enlist the support Of other Ike organizations
throughout the country in inducing the PRESIDENT
70 call such a convention.
AccompanyinG the report the memorial and
following resolution which proposed by Mr..
schwab seconded by Charles Stewart Smith. and
unanimously adopted;
TO the President Of the United States:
The memorial Of the Chamber OF Commerce OF
the state Of New-York respectfully represents
Tha; the persons and property OF private CI,zvns' @
vsrsa rSs 1roe1tion and exposed to vio-
nd n, 4,
,tt,i3s,e's are deprived Of their liberty and are
r"bbei Of Their property when the sea. is still
recognized by interua 'iona law.
,,s history consistently favored the adoption in
time Of war ot The same princple on rne sea as As
tS1 land and in us intercourse with other nations
has uniformly urged Ne acceplance OF oniS rue fr
,reasom tha' Of prJae propeTty from capture on the
ss can orlv be- secured by A general treaty. en-
tered into by all The maritime Powers. and th4t f.it
the successful reeoiaun - Of sNch rue ~ ehItte
you TO the gratitude Of The Whole civilized W@I.a,
ara will 10 reckonoG among the greatest achieve
nents q your Admin s,ration. o.. .,,.. ,.o,,
Will favorably consider the memorial WhiGh hSs ;
been pTeG,9 10 {oq w6T5 tbTosh the proper
hs nurnose Of considering and adopting rules pro-
yts,ng for the freedom from capture Of private
property the sea. whether belonglng TO neutra.s
excep, in the case of contraband of war or VIOLA
"g And i YOUR memoralists will ever pray.
for adoption by the Chamber:
Resolved That the Secretary of the Chamber OF
Commerce be instructed to address other IKE or
sars7at,ons IN mis- country presenting them with
copv of this memorial and urging that they
support the principle advocated by the NhanbeI,
tbe calling 6f an international convention for the
purpose az formulating and adopting rule proyid-
contraband Of war. fom capture at sea
President Orr then introduced Mr.. Hanna TO the
Chamber as one whom great credit was due
for his efforts in combating the specious argu-
nents OF the free-silver advocates
Mr. Hanna Thanked the Chamber for the honor
{, conferred on him in its invitation 10 address
the memo oers and said he was sorry that the short
time allowed him did not permit of his preparing
an address He expressed himself as much grati-
fed TO be able 70 assure the members that the
outlook IN the West encouraging 10 sound
Nancy adherents The Executive Committee OF
the Sound Money Convention had lent Its aid to
the attempted passage OF the bill TO reform 'he
currency introduced at the last session OF con-
rress and had succeeded in getting the signatures
y. moro than half OF the Representatives TO pc
t.ton 10 the Committee Banking and Currency
for q hearing IN favor OF the bill The atutuoe OF
Mr. Hanna's committee. the Chamber was tod,
is favorable 10 any measure progressive toward
reform IN the currency and at all stiff-backed
and ,rrevocably pledged certain ideas Mr.
Hanna continued
Besides other work Bureau Of Correspondencee
was organized and some seventy typewriters were
among the business men Of the country In the
cnmpaiCn the committee took an active part IN me
aid Of candidates pledged TO sound money, ana IN
districts where Sound Money Democrats were op-
nosed to RepubNcans q kept its hands off.
The merchants % this city have great work
before them. for the word has gone forth ina t.
New-York does not sympa thize with the cause OF
sound money. , ,. ~, ,o
etifuents Of Congressnen to write to the Repre-
eentatives favorng sound-money policies. ard ~ rs
only hy this unv.eding pressure that we VIII ne
able to get legislation IN the future.
on Tuesday was with the President, ana on
rarting I asked him what word could take back
70 the people of the West regarding me currency
He reniied. Tell them | stand firmly for none
farv legislation. and that am determined mat
carried out (ApT!auseD ,,. ,s - -,,o
Now some have asked. why should We write
into the law what is unwritten law. ana an
swer that what unwritten law should be written
into the law take away that tairt Of uncertainty
that breeds fever in the blood and stands in tho
way OF the greatest prosperity of the people
j. Harson Rhoades eulogized Mr.. Hanras EFFORTS
IN the cause Of sound money. than whom there is
no more persistent advocate and said further that
the Chamber Of Commerce cannot relent. nor can
kindred organizations reent. IN the work for sound
money until there IS such reform in tho Banking
and Currency laws Will make possible perHa-
Cent prosperity for the country.
President orr announced the appointment OF
Franklin Edison and A. Foster Higgins 70 repre-
sent the Chamber. with representatives, or Ike or
PLANTATIONS throughout the State. IN a conference
with the Governor-elcct regarding the canals.