Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-30

of the mines OF South America. some.
times fell a rich prey TO daring men
not always sworn enemies of Spain, and
again went with all their rich cargoes
to Davy Jones' locker, where, II tradi.
ton Is to be believed, many lie UNI
reclaimed to this day. What tempta-
ton there Is now for men to risk their
ships and their lives in guerrilla war
fare on the ocean Is moot question
and must remain so until a fleet OF
prizes has been taken and sized up as to
value. One thing is sure-privateerlng
has been out of fashion for a third OF
a century, abolished by consensus OF
opinion among the nations. Probably II
would have died out anyway for a lacl,
of incentive, since modern commercial
methods have brought about safer
modes of transporting great treasures,
and the growth of great navles and
commercial fleets cruising the uttermost
parts of the sea have given nations a
common purpose In establishing safety
by the suppression of the reign OF force.
The prevailing international code
with respect to privateering has been in
vogue since II was established at con-
gress of nations called to conclude the
Crimean war at Paris In 1856 The par
ties to that agreement were Great Brit
ain, France, Prussia, Russia, Sardinia
and Turkey. Four articles OF the treaty
relate to questions involved in prlva-
teering. These are the terms:
!. Prlvateering is and remains abolished.
>. Neutral flag covers enemys goods,
with the exception OF contraband OF war.
contrablnd OF war. are not liable to can
ture under the enemy's nag.
L. Blockades In order TO be binding must
a force sufficient really to prevent access
to the coast Of the enemy.
States not represented in the con-
sress at Paris, among them the United
States, We're invited to accede to this
code. The United States declined and
defended privateering. Goods contra
band of war are goods which by COM
mon consent are held to be aids to bel
ligerency.
The fourth article Is commonly said
to abolish paper blockades," such ms
Napoleon attempted to establish in
1906, when he decreed that any vessels
belonging to neutrals trading with Brit
fsh ports We're liable to seizure nv
French cruisers on the high seas. The
Southern Confederacy long held that
the United States blockade was paper
one only, because It did not effectually
close southern ports.
In the case of the south during the
first year of the civil war is TO be found
the last spasm of genuine privateering
since the treaty of Paris. In the wars
OF the Revolution and also in 1872 the
United States had engaged quite ex-
tensively in this mode of naval warfare
and with good results. Naturally the
south, being in like desperate straits as
TO naval armament, caught at 1t. The
phase was OF short duration, but lasted
long enough TO send through the world
a thrill of expectancy. Visions of the
black flag" c2 walking the planlS'
and Of the lurid glare by night of burn
Ing riizes" stirred the blood of imag-
ihauVe youth, who reioiced that the
DAYS or buccaneers and pirates had
come again TO bring flood of novels in
the WORKOUT vein of Captain AIarryat
and Mayne Reid. While the news of
sumter and Lincoln's call for volunteers
was ringing through the streets OF the
northern seacoast cities there was a
sun more startling cry heard on the lips
OF the newsboys, shouting: "Ho. the
extra! JEFF Davis proclamation to is
sue letters OF marque." Only the Until
ated knew exactly what the term "let-
tiers of marque" really meant but In
that hour whatever seemed menacing
was looked upon as piratlcal.
Inc following actual letter Of nnrnue
being No. ] from the pen OF the Confed-
crate president and the type Of hun