A PRIVATEERING SCHEME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7236, 24 October 1901, Page 2

A PRIVATEERING SCHEME.

-♦ SOUTH AFRICAN CORSAIRS. PARIS, August 15. The "Matin" to-day says:— The Trans* vaal and Orange Free State Republics ara on tbe point of consenting to the employment of corsairs on their behalf against the British Navy, and are preparing to deliver letters of marque to the adventurer* who are offering to fight for them. The following, is, indeed, the important document which has been submitted to tht Transvaal aud Orange Free State Governments, and may be signed at any moment: — " Sir, — We accept yonr offer to organise a volunteer fleet. "It is agreed that you shall arm vessels against Great Britain at your own risk and peril, and that as remuneration for the risk and peril you shall be allowed by the Government* of" the South African 'Republic and' Orange Free State, if they retain their independence, tbe ram of £80 per ton of displacement of British ships of war and £40 per ton gross tonnage of British merchant ships taken or sunk by, you. " It is agreed that you shall warn neutral commerce of the danger which British ships will incur, and that you shall respect British vessels at sea at the moment of thia warning. "Payment will be made on the signature of peace from the indemni./ from the British Government within fifteen days of such signature. "In the event of peace bei_g signed and the independence of the two States being recognised, after notification of danger run by British ships— such notice being tantamount to the interdiction of the British merchant fleet — you .would be reimbursed for your expenses, a-cd the sum of £40.000 would be granted to you for your intervention. In the case of vessels sunk regarding which you can adduce no maI terial proof that they have been sunk by your ships,* it will be sufficient for you to | have designated them beforehand as objects of attack for their disappearance to be attributed to an attack oa the part of your ships. "Except as regards the obligation to warn neutral commerce, and tb respect ships ignorant oif the notification of danger, yon may employ any means you think fit to attain your end. ■ " You shall have full power to treat with third parties on any conditions you choose, not exceeding those granted to you by the present letter. "Your operations shall only be arrested by signature of peace, it being impossible to notify you of any armistice. ■•All disputes as to interpretation of this letter will be submitted to arbiters— two to be appointed by you, and two by us." The "Matin" adds: — Such is the very text of the document Mr Kruger is asked to sign. __________________