The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-31
A Proclamation Against
Filibustcring.
The Neutrality Laws Must Be
Strictly Observed.
President Warns All Citizens Against
Filibustering.

Washington, july. 31.-The president
has issued n proclamation. bearing date
of July 27, again commanding citizens
to observe neutrality toward Cuba. The
proclamation refers 10 the original proc
lanation OF June IL. 1895, demanding an
observance OF the neutrality laws In re-
spcct to the Cuban insurrection. and
gives notice that all violations will be
vigorously prosecuted The president
cites the decision. of the supreme court
in the wiborg case, constituting the stat
utes relative to military expeditions,
conspiracies and the extension OF aid by
furnishing transportation, in order that
citizens may not be misled as TO the
meaning OF the neutrality laws.
The proclamation i'm full is as follows:
BY the President of the United States
Of America:
A PROCLAMATION:
Whereas, by proclamation dated the
18th day OF June, A. d., 1895, attention
vas called TO the serious civil disturb
ances, accompanied by armed resistance
10 the. established government OF Spain.
then prevailing In the island OF Cuba,
and citizens of the United States and all
other persons were admonished TO alb
stain from taking part in such disturb
ances, in contravention of the neutrality
laws OF the United States; and
Whereas, said civil disturbances and
armed resistance to the authority Of
Spain, a power with which the United
States are on terms of peace and amity
continue to prevail in said island OF
Cuba; and
Whereas, since the date OF said procla-
nation said neutrality laws of the United
States have been the subject OF author
itative exposition by the judicial tri-
bunal Of last resort. and II has thus been
declared that any combination OF per-
sons organized in the United States for
the purpose ofproceeding to and making
war upon a foreign country with which
the United States are al peace, and pro-
vided with arms TO be used for such pur-
pose, constitutes a military expedition
or enterprise" within the meaning OF
said neutrality laws, and that the pro-
viding or preparing OF the means for
such military expedition or renterprise, "
which is expressly prohibited by said
laws, includes furnishing or aiding In
transportation for such military expedi-
tion or enterprise" and
Whereas, by express enactment, IL two
or more persons conspire TO commit an
offense against the United States, any
act of the conspirators to effect the OBJ
ject of such conspiracy renders all the
conspirators liable to fine and imprison-
ment; and
Whereas, there Is reason to believe
that citizens Of the United States and
others within their jurisdiction. fail to
apprehend the meaning and operation Of
the neutrality laws OF the United States.
as authoritatively interpreted as afore-
said, and may be misled into participa-
ton in transactions which are violations
OF said laws. and will render them liable
to the severe penalties provided for such
violations;
Now. therefore, that the laws above
referred to, as judicially construed, may
be duly executed, that the International
obligations Of the United States may he
fully satisfied, and that their citizens
and all others within their jurisdiction,
being seasonably apprised OF their legal
duty In the premises, may abstain from
disobedience to the laws OF the United
States, and thereby escape the forfeit
ures and penalties legally consequent
thereon.
/, Grover Cleveland, president of the
United States. do hereby solemnly warn
all Citizens of the United States and
others within their Jurisdiction against
violations Of the sait laws, interpreted
as Shereinbefore explained, and give
notice fhat all such violations will be
vigorously prosecuted. And / do hereby
invoke the cooperation, of all good citi-
zens in the enforcement of said laws and
in the detection and apprehension of any
OIIenutTS dBdllSl tic anu
by enjoin upon all the executive afficers
OF the United States the utmost diligence
in preventing, prosecuting and punish
ing any infractlons thereof.
In testimony whereof, have hereunto
set nay hand, and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed, this twenty
seventh day of July, in the year OF our
Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred
and Ninety-six, and of the independ-
ence OF the United States the One
Hundred and Twenty-frst
Grover Cleveland.
BY the President:
Richard Olney, Secretary Of State. q,