Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-27
PRIZES AND PRIZE MONEY.

According to the rules of warfare the
capture of ship or cargo OF an enemy,
or in transit to an enemy, is legitimate
when effected on the high sea or in
waters under the jurisdiction OF the
belligerents. Property SO captured is
called prize. II done in neutral
waters 1t is a violation of the neutral
ity laws and the property may be re-
stored by the neutral powers.
From the earliest times it has been
the rule to divide the prize money, or
a portion thereof, between the officers
and crews of the navy, as an incentive
to greater exertion on their part. the
remainder going to the government or
state. But the legality of the capture
must be passed upon by properly
constituted prize court. Property con-
demned by this court is sold by Unit
ed States marshal and the proceeds
distributed according to the decree of
the court.
The rules OF distribution of the prize
money is as follows:
First-To the commander of a fleet or
squadron. one-twentieth part of all
prize awarded to any vessel or vessels
under his immediate command.
Second-To a commander of a divi-
sion OF a fleet or squadron on duty un-
der the orders OF the commanderin.
chief OF such fleet or squadron, sum
equal to one-fiftieth Of any prize money
awarded to q vessel of n division under
his command, to be paid from the
moiety due the United States, If there
be such moiety; II not. from tho
amount awarded to the captors. This
flftieth part is not awarded in addition
to the share he would be entitled to
as commander Of a single ship making
capture. and he may elect which he
VIII receive.
Thlrd-To the fleet captain. one
hundredth part of all prize money
awarded to any vessel of the fleet in
which he Is serving. except where the
capture Is made by the vessel on board
which he Is servir :, in which case he
VIII share in proportion to his pay
with the other officers and men on
board such vessel.
Fourth-To the commander Of ves-
sci, one-tenth OF all the prize money
awarded to the vessel, II such vessel
Mt the time OF the capture was under
the command of "A commanding officer
of n fleet or n division, and three-
twentieths II his vessel was acting in
dependently of such superior officer.
Fifth--After the foregoing deduc-
lions the residue is distributed among
all others doing duty on board and
borne upon the books of the ship, in
Guiding the fleet captains. in proper
tlon TO their respective rates of pay.
The share of prize money awarded
to the United States is set apart as q
fund for pensions to naval officers, sea
men and marines and thus ultimately
goes to the benefit Of those who may
have been instrumental in securing II
for the public funds
Apropos to the foregoing the follow.
ing questions and answers are append.
ed:
To the Editor: In the disposal o.
prize vessels now captured and tha
may be captured by the United Statei
warshlps. what share az any do TIT
captors receive?
When a government sanctions pri
Watering does 1t receive any of tn,
| booty?
Kindly explain in detail and oblige,
READER"
The first question was answered II
the News" OF Monday last, the 25th
except as 10 the uetallS OF distribution
Reader Is referred to 1t. and by add
Ing the following to the information
therein contained he will have com
| plete reply:
1.-The commanding officer of the fee
or squadron effecting capture re
ceives one-twentieth of the net pro
ceeds Of q sale thereof; the command
Ing officer of division of fleet o.
squadron acting under orders gets one
fftleth; fleet captain one hundredth
except when his vessel makes the cap
ture, in which case he receives hi
share proportional to his pay as al
officer; the commander of a single yes
ture, in which case he receives hi
tenth, or acting without orders In max
ing the capture, three-twentieths. AL
the rest is divided among the othe
officers and the crew in proportion t
pay.
2-As n rule it does not. but this Il
subject to agreement.