New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-04
COMMERCE. IN VAR.

One Of the most practical of the many sug-
gestons made concerning the work OF the
forthcoming international Peace Congress is
put forward by Mr.. Ismay, the chairman OF
the Liverpool Steamship Owners Association,
in a letter to 1.-THE London Times" which we
reproduce this morning. 1t is 10 the effect that
the congress should complete the unfinished
work of the Declaration Of Paris, of half a
century ago. by decreeing not only that pri-
watering is and shall remain abolished, but
also that all peaceful commerce, not involving
contraband Of war, shall be exempt from SELF
ure or destruction. This proposal appeals TO
Americans with especial force because, al
though Just now revived by an Englishman, 1t
is distinctively American in its origin and de-
velopment, as the record shows.
II will be recalled that the United States de-
clined to join in the Declaration Of Paris for
the express reason that while that Declaration
forbade privateering it did not give protection
to commerce. At that time the United States
had one of the largest mercantile marines in
the world and one Of the smallest navies
Manifestly. then. in case Of war 1t would have
been at hopeless disadvantage unless either
that commerce were protected by international
law or Il were free to transform its swiftest
tion of its commerce and for reprisals upon
that of its foe. The Declaration OF Paris re-
fused it the former and forbade it the latter
The United States offered to subscribe to the
Declaration II the other Powers would omit
the prohibition of priyateering or, preferably
insert another clause exempting peaceful COM
merce from spoliation in time OF war. Inc
other Powers declined to do 80, and thereupon
the United States naturally reasonably ana
properly declined to make Itself a party 10
the Declaration.
This country has never departed from the
high principle TO which at that time II com
mitted itself. Last year, In It's war with Spaln'
II voluntarily, for that occasion, forewent the
right of privateerlng, although 1t was manifest
that this country would have had more to gain
and less to lose than Spain by resorting to that
practice Later in the year the Chamber OF
Commerce of this State memorialized the Pres
ident in favor Of international negotiations Tor
the protection of commerce. In his Message OF
December last the President asked Congress
for authority to begin such negotiations, point
ing ont that the proposed action would be In
line with our National policy and for the beneht
of civilization 1t is to be assumed that the
hest sentiment Of this Nation Is in favor OF
enacting into international law decree Tor
the protection Of commerce. To do so wouid
not put stop to war, but 1t would materially
mitigate the hardships and losses OF war 10
non-combatants. 1t would not unduly increase
the advantages Of one nation nor the disad-
vantages Of another. 1t would simply extehd
To war at sea the rule that has long prevailed
in war on land 1t would simply assure that
war. when It did occur. should be as closely
as possible confined to conflicts between the
regular armed forces Of the belligerent Powers
and that peaceful commerce on the seas should
not be destroyed nor confscated any more than
peaceful cities should be sacked or peaceful
inhabitants massacred And that, despite the
ratings of the Tolstoyites, would be a great
gain for humanity.