Evening star., 1866-08-29
THE EVENING STAR.


Treatment Of Enemies Merchant Vessels
and tsrSors by Belligerents.
The following is translation OF a document
which has been os'cIally communicated TO the
Department Of State:
BERLIN, July 20, 1866.
Where's, IN reference 10 the treatment of
81, nsIes' mtI chant vessels on the part OF the
behgerent Powers, erroneous statements have
Zen spread abroad, especially throughout the
SCmmerclal public outside OF Germany, We
fnd occasion TO publish, word for word, the
authoritative determinations obtained An
Prussia Austria. and Italy.
IL has been thereupon resolved, through
reciprocal guarantees:
l. On the part of Prussia, the Royal Decree
OF The 18th May, ls66, orders as follows;
Gn the proposition of my Ministry order
that, IN case of war, merchant vessels be-
longing to subjects OF hostile States shall net
be subject TO detention and capture by my
ships of war so long as reciprocity is observed
by The hostile States.
The foregoing decree has no application TO
those vessels which would be subject TO deten-
uOn and capture even II they were neutrals.
This, my decree, shall be published in the
collection of the laws.
BERLIN, MAY 10. IS66. WILHELM
Siral Won Bismarck Schonhausen Won BO-
delschwingh Won Room. Graf Won Itzenplits
Won Muhler. Graf zur Lippe Won Selchur.
Graf Eulenburg.
As supplements TO this royal decree, the fol-
lowing ministerial order of the 2lst June, of
the present year. has been issued.
BY royal ordinance Of the 12th June, 1856, the
declarations signed IN PaIis on the 10th April,
1856, on the privileges of maritime rights is ap-
proved, and il is ordered:
That privateeriDg is abolished.
That the neutral flag covers enemy's goods,
with the exception of contraband of war.
That neutral property under the ensmy's
flag, with exceptions of contraband of war,
shall not be subject 10 seizure.
That blockade 10 be obligatory must be ef-
fectlye; that is, sustained by sufficient arma-
ment TO prevent the approach to the coast of
the enemy.
It's further ordered by the royal decree of the
1ath of preceding month, that. on the condition
of reciprocity, merchant ships belonging to
subjects of hostile States shall not be liable to
detention and capture, with the exception of
cases in which even neutral ships would be
subject thereto; and further, this deliverance
of vessels from detention and capture releases
also the cargo from seizure, stated in the
Staats auZeIger No. l4l, among the public
DEGREES, announced TO the elders of trade at
Dantzic.
The imperial Austrian Government adheres
10 those who take part in the declaration of the
10th April, 1856, and has also made known that
on her part, in consideration Of reciprocity,
she also holds the principles set forth in the
rsyal decree of the 18th May. The preceding
orders are, therefore, fully applicable to Austria
during the war.
Therefore, in respect of the relations of nav
igaton at this time, We have only to state the
following.
I. Austrian merchant vessels which are now
IN PIussIah ports, or " hose masters. unaware
OF the breaking out of the war, may enter
PrussIan ports. shall, on condition of rscipro-
city, have six weeks, reckoned from the dav of
entry into port, to land their cargo, and to 20
away with n new cargo, contraband Of war
excepted. On the expiration of this term they
must iPave port.
Austrian merchant vessels. whose masters
were aware OF the breaking out of The war are
not permired to enter Prussian port.
Your EXcellency will give To the proper
authorities OF the Province the necessary in
structions.
BERLIN, June 81, 1862
The Minister of Foreign Relations
GRAF Won BIeNARCR
The Minister of Commerce, MauuIasrure.
and Public Works,
The Minister of the Interior,
GRAZ ~ ErLEsBURs.
ii. On the part of Austria there is the Impe.
rial mandate of May 10, of this year, which de-
follows:
With reference to the declaration Of the Pow.
ers assembled at the Peace Congress in Paris
on the 10th April, 1856, whereby International
principles were agreed upon for the abolition
of priyateerlng, and in regard to the rights of
neutrals, which had for purpose to miupata
as far as practicable. the injuriously enhanced
action of war upon maritime commerce thron0h
the uncertainty Of public law, and in view of
extending the working of this purpose so far
as depends upon Austria, on the guaranty of
reciprocity
resolve, after hearing my council of Minis
Article 1. Merchant vessels and their ladins
may not. on the ground that they belong 10 a
country with which Austria is at war, be de-
tanned al sea by Austrian vessels of war nor
be declared good prize by Austrian prize cour,s.
Provided the hostile power observes reciproc
ity toward Austrian merchant vessels
The observance of reciprocity will he nre
surned until notice of the contrary is received
while equally favorable treatment is extended
10 austrian merchant vessels on the part of
The hostile power. either in accordance with
the settled principles of its legislation or guar
an'eed by their explanations al the Commence
ment of hOstlllties.
Article IL The provisions OF article have
NO application 10 merchant vessels Carving
Sontraoand Of war or violating blockades
Article Ill NV Ministers OF Warand ofJ,s
tee are charged with the execution of this
present decree FRANZ JOSEPH, NJ p
bkLCkEDI, N. r., MKNsDoRF. NJ. p, VEL
Mp.
BY authority:
BERNHARD, RITTER Won MEYER Mp
III On the part of Italy, in fine the code for
the merchant marine of 18th June 1865 part I.
ute =, chap 2, enacts as follows:
ArueIe 2ll. The capture and condemnation
OF merchant vessels OF hostile naiIop, bv
sbips OF war OF this kingdom, is abolished on
CONDITION OF reciprocal action bv such nation
osaeilng IKE reaiment in favor OF the mer-
chant marine of this country. This reciprocity
must be ratified by local laws dipiomatio
agreements. or explanations which the hostiia
rover has given at the commencement of hos
Article 2l2- From the provisions of the fore.
gong artele are excepted seizures and con.
cemnation by reason OF contraband of vv.r IN
which case the oe nding yest el sha N su fer m
treatment OF neutral ships which violate men.
trality. N
Further exception is made in respect Of the
capture and condemnation of violators of ef
iec'lye and duly notified bloekades.
~ Describing the spirits at the Providence
convention. areporter says: Prominent among
the ladies Is Miss Hutchings, q tnin sparr
hrin- mouthed, dark-eyed. shrill- voiced &C.
iheHlcaI young woman, who has several times
given The Convention n scoldinp Thsra -
nevertheless, twinkle ia her eve that tells of
an appreciation OF the beautiful Miss Susis
Johnson u afull-hgured, ,rou ad- faced plainly
dressed young lady who euunciates cIearjy
put speaks only after dehberaiion Mrs
=, townsend. OF Vermont, Is the iheoretlcaI
nNoHtr hereinafter referred 10. She Is eyi
oentIy- The best female taIker. full O. emnhasis
and gestieulatiOD. with Il surprising foW %,