The silver messenger., 1909-06-29
AS TO PRIVATEERING
A Peculiar Mode Of Warfare Equal
to Piracy.
1t II Carried On By ships Manned By
Men who Belong to the Bru-
tai and Lawless Ele-
ment.

i Spaniards are anxious to engage in prl-
Watering against the United States
makey that peculiar mode of warfare
u matter of interest to many people.
BY most of the civilized nations of the
world privateering has been declared
equal to piracy. 1t is absolutely pro-
hibited in Europe by countries that arc
carrying on war against each other.
This, however, is not part OF the gen.
eral code of international law, but the
result of a special agreement reached
by the powers at conference held in
Paris at the close of the Crimean war
in 1856.
Simple and unequivocal terms express
the new rule then adopted. "Privateer-
ing is and remains abolished" it said,
and, while it was binding only upon
those who accepted it, and only in their
dealings with each other, it soon came
to be accepted by all the civilized ma
tions, and they all now come under its
provision.
Great Britain, France, Russia, Prus-
sia, Austria, Sardinia and Turkey were
the original parties to the agreement of
1856, but at present about ~ powers
are included. The United States, Spain
and Mexico were the only important ex-
ceptions at the present writing until
Uncle Sam disavowed all intention of
privateering in the present war.
When the abolishment of this bar
barrie relic of medieval times was dis
cussed the United States was invited
to join, but declined. Mr.. Marcy was
then secretary of state, and he took the
ground that this country had not as
large naval force as the powers who
formulated and adopted the rule, hence
it was decidedly favorable to them, but
exceedingly unfavorable to those who
had small naval forces and few ships.
But there came time when the
United States would have been glad to
see the law work in its favor. That was
during the civil war. Mr.. Seward
thought it wise to reopen negotiations
for the purpose of putting the confed-
crate privateers under the ban by ac-
ceding, to the agreement.
The powers, however, declared that
such an Interpretation was retrospect
i've, and they would not permit it, So
the matter was again dropped, and moth
ing has been done since to do away with
the rather isolated custom. With the
exception of the present war the United
States stands in line with Mexico and
Spain, and at variance with the rest of
the family of the great nations on
earth.
While an adherence to this barbarous
principle is characteristic of Spain and
her dominions, it is decidedly against
the humane and liberal policy sub
scribed to by the United States.
Although a privateer obtains a GER
tain commission from his government,
called letter of marque, his prime OBJ
ject is plunder-nothing more than
war of plunder-waged against the in
nocent commerce of warning nations.
In this respect it is equivalent to piracy.
Privateering cannot be carried on
without methods that are dangerously
piratical. The prize money, under the
sanction of the law, is apportioned
among the crew after the manner of
buccaneers who parcel out their booty.
Moreover, privateering crews are COM
monty made up of men who belong to
the brutal and lawless element of a
community or country. They are not
under the command of military officers
who are responsible to the government
for their actions, and discipline, that
ought to be of the most rigid kind on
board privateering vessel, is apt to be
extremely lax.
While privateers are not entitled to
the full rights which the comfy of ma
tions extends to public ships of war,
they usually take more than they are
entitled to, and some of the most
bloody battles were fought on vessels
thus commissioned against innocent
parties.
The act of congress of June 30, 1864,
sets forth that all public ships within
signaling distance are entitled to share
in the proceeds of the capture of prize
vessel, and it can be easily seen that
this construction, where it interferes
with the love of plunder by the priva-
teer, can lead to desperate actions on
the part of unscrupulous owners of
these vessels.-St. Louis Republic.
Fond of Firearms