Possible Return 10 Privateer Days

Hokitika Guardian, 25 April 1917, Page 2

Possible Return 10 Privateer Days

Washington, April 20 The entrance of the United Stiles nto the war may mean a revival of i privateering. The Government, refus* od to ad beta to rha Declaration of Puri 1 *, ;n which of the present • belligerents agreed to abolish ptiva- • tearing, and has repeatedly insisted r that it was a weapon of first impoi ti anoe for this country. The arming of American merchantships may be as for as this Government can go, in coming hostilities, to : protect American commerce fr v )tn the i' U-bootp. Nava!authorities agree that ip" it would bB useless to send costly i battleships into the war z ;ne as targets for the submariner. By cffdiieg large bounties for the < capture or destruction of submarines, however, the Government might in* i i duce cwnerj of fast motor yachts to accept letters of marque to cruise the iufested waters and hunt down the German craft. There are doun less many Americans who would be gLd to undertake it purely as an adveuture. The privateer gees out ordinarily for booty. In past wars, notably in the war of 1812, his function was to prey on enemy commerce, aud rich hauls were made. In the present war with German commerce swept from the seas by the British navy, plunder could not be an object, but it pU.ce might be supplied by offers of prize money by the Government. As Prussia adh:red to the Declara- { tion of Puis, tud'iegei is' privatteering aa piracy, any American privateer captured by a eubmirice could expect nothing better than to walk the plank. But P is pointed cut that Captain Fryatt, the British captain, of an armed merchantman, was executed as a pirate by the German*. j Doubtless commanders of theAmericau armed vessels to sail for England will meet a similar fate if they have the ill-luck to be captured by the U boats. Under the Federal statutes, the* »secretary of the navy maintains a pension fund for privateers. A share of all prize mousy ig diverted to this fund. The United States, by Presidential - proclamation, tenoucced thb right to issue letters of marque in the Spanish* ' American war. The Spanish Government reserved the right but did not exerolge it. King Albert at ihe Front. London, April 20 King Albert in an aeroplane went over the 17 mile front held by the Belgians. The machine was peppered by anti-aircraft guns, but returned safely. Germany’s Fost-War Trade. London, April 20 Speaking in the Reichstag (says Reuter’s correspondent at Amsterdam) Dr Helfferich (German Imperial Treasurer) Lid extraordinary emphasis on the necsseity to “ hold on.” The main thing, he said, was borne production from the"' soil. “Lloyd George’s statement regarding the importance of j agriculture proved the importance our most bitter enemy attaches to the submarine warfare,” ho proceeded. “ Ths next world harvest also will be. bad, owing to the scarcity of saltpetre; therefore the food scaroity will continue after the war.” The Treasurer slated that negotiations were proceeding fur the re-building of the German mercantile fleet. “We shall renew our trade relations with foreign countries,” Herr Helfferioh | asserted, “ despite the Paris Conference.”

Wireless Spark Flashes to Berlin

Washington, April 20 Information has reached the Government from a semi-official source that through the perfection of a powerful wireless telegraph plant in Mexico City, direct communication between the Mexican capital and Germany has been established. Officials replies that if confirmed this news is of great importance. Investigation has been ordered. Through eounsotion by Mexico City with the land telegraphs leading into the United States, Germany would be able to secure complete exemption from the censorship now imposed by the American Government at the wireless stations at Say ville and TuckertoD, | and by the British and French Governments in their control of the Atlantic cables. \ \ ' London, April 20 Becanpe 20,000 soldiers about the streets of London every Sun. day night with nowhere to go, the authorities have been prevailed npon to consent to allow a few theatres to be opened for their enterteinment. The law requiring theatres to reraaio closed on Sundays is rigidly enforced in this country, only moving picture houses, and these in limited number, being allowed to run. Now, however, Boms of the large theatres where re- • gnlar performances are given on weekdays are to be permitted to remain A open for the benefit of the fighting ® men.

Scnday Theatres.