Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-05


for the stoppaSe Of sub
Holland's marine warfare, coupled
~. with an appeal to the
4Aosess' United States to take the
initiative toward that end. The Teie-
graf says: Ten days have elapsed
since the submarine war was carried
to the door Of America and nothing has
been done. Are we to understand that
our ships are allowed to be torpedoed
right on the American coast? We say
in all frankness to America that SUBJ
marine war must be stopped and Ger
many. must be told that mistakes,
which all the world know are no mis-
takes. will no longer be tolerated. Let
America speak the redeeming word. lest
she rue deeply in the future having
neglected task plainly to be expect
ed from the mightiest neutral"
Following the warning OF the allied
governments that neutral submarines
in waters visited by belligerent subma-
rines risked great danger. the note of
the United States dated August 81 con-
tested the request of the allied powers
that belligerent submarines should be
excluded from the use Of American
waters and harbors. 1t is remarked,
however. that this note was issued many
weeks before the visit of the U-boat
which sank five ships near the Nan
tucket light. Pending action on this
question it will prove interesting to
take a retrospective look at the condi-
Itions of armed maritime neutrality from
1779-1782.
In the memoirs Of Count de Goritz,
minister of state Of Frederick II. and
Neutrality paul Fauchille), 1880. there
may be found some valuable lessons
which may serve us in the actual war.
When the government Of France
yielded to the demands Of Lafayette
and gave support to the American In
surgents in 1878. England. notwith-
standing the capitulation of Burgoyhe
at Saratoga, had not despaired OF con-
quering her rebellious subjects and
submitting them to her authority.
1t is recalled that in 1900. through
the Intervention of the League OF
Armed Neutrality" treaty was exc
cuted between Russia and Sweden
against England, still at war with
this treaty subsequently. Nevertheless.
England sent one of her most expert
enced diplomats to st. Petersburg.
Chevalier Harris, better known as Lord
Malmesbury.
The Russian premier, Count Panin,
was adverse to EngIand's designs. and
in 1901 wrote Count
Russ;o f,nnoaes de Goritz that he was
too much impressed
EngllSn flan. with the interests of
Russia not to understand the danger
to which the latter exposed herseiI,
when she had already suffered by the
war with the Ottoman porte, to con-
tract with England an alliance the
more onerous for Russia that the pro-
posed war was absolutely foreien 10
her interests. Besides, the theater OF
operations was remote.
Harris, finding that he could do notn-
to Potemkin, the favorite of Cath
crime II, to obtain an audience Win
the latter Catherine expressed sym
pathy for England. but she reared 70
throw the empire into new emparrass.
ments and finish my reign in the mids'
of war" .
Harris was encouraged to submit ms
proposition in writing. Catherine re-
piled in substance that she greatly
loved peace and hoped England woulo
soon erjoy it, Nevertheless. the EN-,
press was convinced that the proposed
action, in place of peace. would pro
duce a contrary effect: "A proposition
of peace or a mediation without con
ciliatory conditions would provoke Tue
enemies of England and, perhaps, pro-
woke the entire continent OF Europe
The empress was persuaded that tne
time had not come for a treaty OF AZ
lance, etc. If the court OF London
conld find some proper terms on which
to establish the basis of conciiiatioh
between the belligerent powers TO pre-
vent a greater effusion of blood the
empress would be happy. and she nopeo
to be useful to the interests OF Great
Britain. etc.
This vague and uncertain response
was not what the British envoy ex-
pected, yet the empress and Potemkill
encouraged his secret hopes In hoioing
out the possibility of some inci1 zen.
which might occur to change the race
IF Things Such an incident occurred
Tn the commencement of 1850, 1t was
learned at ST. Petersburg that the Hoi-
land ship Concordia, loaded with wheat
for Barcelona for the account OF the
houses of Ruitgen van Brienenzoous &.
Co. of Archangel and Hope & co. OF
Amsterdam, was seized by the Spanish
government and taken to Caoiz. III
tie after the ST. Nicholas. belonging TO
imcrowski. loaded with wheat from
Malaga and Livorgna, met with a IKE
fate. The Empress Catherine was
greatly irritated by that violation OF
the freedom of the seas, and ordered
Count Panin to send to the Spanish
ambassador, Senior de Normandes, two
notes demanding the restitution OF the
value of the property plus the damages
incurred, belonging to Russian sub
jects.
4 x
Harris was filled with joy at news of
the unexpected that had happened.
Count Potemkin in
r,4r:,,,. ~ +ha duced the empress
to act Immediately
huSSlAu OOu1t. ito arm a fleet of
fifteen vessels of the line and six frig-
ates." Catherine promised Harris at
the same time to send a sort OF ulti-
NAHUM to the court of Madrid. But
Harris counted without the adroitness
of the premier. The latter was in
formed, Notwithstanding the secret
which had been well kept. Of the meas
ures taken to arm and equip squad
ron. IT fiatter myself" said he TO
Count Goritz, the Prussian ambassador,
that I will cause that storm to ran on
those who have excited IT ana upon
those who, not content to be lost them-
selves. (referring to the British envoy
hope to save themselves IN settihS All
Europe on fire by their intrigues.
Count Panin. unwilling to face the
anger of the empress, had recourse to
an adroit stratagem- He 1elgneo 70
adopt the resentment of his sovereign
toward Spain, then. nattering Cath
crimes passion for glory, he proposed 70
her to adopt more extensive measures
which would constitute a code and reg.
ulation of the liberty OF the seas