YANKEE PRIVATEERING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 173, 29 April 1872, Page 3

YANKEE PRIVATEERING.

A WRITER in the Leader says : —“ There is a danger ahead. It is quite upon the cards that Melbourne may be visited ny other American steamers besides those which bring the San Francisco mails, and that some of our gold ships may fall victims to Yankee privateers. The pundits employed by Britain to frame the Washington treaty have completely muffed their task, and the only way out of the mess is for Mr Gladstone to refuse to carry out the provisions which were so solemnly assented to six months ago. Of course, America may make this a casus belli, and although I do not expect such a termination to the Alabama claims, it is quite within the range of possibility that President Grant will accept this alternative. If war be declared between the two great English speaking nations, these colonies will have to look out. England is not likely to invade America, nor is it probable that the Yankees will send an -expedition to England. But an attempt will be made to overrun Canada, and American privateers will make a dash at the British ships in the Pacific. We must s»t our house in order, more especially as it is quite possible that the first intimation of hostilities being commenced will be brought by some fast steamer leaving San Francisco with letters cf marque, and making a swoop upon our goldships like {in eagle upon a dove-cot.”