The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-30
FRANCE PREPARES
FOR THE CONFLICT
Regulations for the Entrance and So.
journ Of War Vessels.
GENERAL ORDERS Of IMPORTANCE
The French Government Prepares
For the War Which Has Long Been
Deemed Inevitable. ARTICLES Which
Are Of Interest to the General Pub.
liz.

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bert has published to the navy in gem
eral orders, decree of the govern
ment of France prescribing regula-
tions for the entrance and sotourn Of
vessels in the seapOrts of that country
in time Of war. Although intended iOr
the information and guidance of COM
manding officers Of United States naval
vessels, the new regulations are of i'm
portance to the masters of all ships.
and they have the additional interest
to the general public of showing what
steps to protect ports are believed to
be necessary by great naval power,
as we'll as the significance their enact
ment proclaims that France Is emitting
no detail in her elaborate preparations
for the conflict which that government
has long deemed inevitable. The de-
cree which was issued by President
Faure June II last. and formally COM
municated to the department of state
recently by the French ambassador
here, contained five articles, as fol-
lows:
Article /. In time of war, between sun
rise and sunset. no Franch merchant ves-
sci, nor any foreign vessel, whether
man-Of-war or merchantman, snail ap.
proach within less than three miles or
the French coasts (French and French
possessions) before having been author
lied so to do: between sunset and sun
rise the prohibition to approach within less
than three miles Is absolute. between
sunrise and sunset all vessels that are at
such a distance from the land that their
colors can be distinguished therefrom.
shall carry their national coiors: II they
desire'to enter the prohibited regions, they
shall so signify by hosting the signal for
a time; but they shall remain without the
three mile line, until they have been
boarded, or until a semaphore has sig
nailed to them that their request has been
aI A oil m % -
obey orders signalled by semaphore, or
received from man -Of-war, either verb
ally or by international code or signal.
Article 2. In time OF war, IN case s Oh ia,i> u,
conform to the above order. the nearest
fort or vessel of war shall warn her to
obey the same by firing blank charge.
II this first notice is without effect, there
shall be fired. two minutes later, a pro-
jectile, and finally, after anothe: interval
Of two minutes. If the vessel does not stop
or stand off, an effective fire shall be
opened. In case of urgency, the prelim-
vessel that violates the order relating to
the interdiction of the prohibited dis
tricts renders itself liable to be destroyed.
IN TIME OF WAR.
Article 3. In time of war; no small craft.
other than those belonging to French mem
of-war shall go and come in the fortified
harbors without special authorization and
without having received from the mari
time authorities the means of making
themselves known. During both day and
night, the going and coming. of small
steamers. other than those belonging to
French vessels of war, shall be absolutely
prohibited. Rowboats. however, can 80
and come from sunrise to sunset, provided
port authorities. but under the reservation
that they are to keep clear of vessels of
war. If so ordered, and of not commun-
cating with them. in any case, without
having asked and received authority to do
so. The going and coming Of authorized
small craft Is subjected elsewhere to the
local instructions issued by the perfectoral
authorities and especially as regards the
roadsteads or of communication with any
other places than those expressly desg-
mated. In commercial ports, special meas
ures will be taken by higher authority, of
commerce, although imposing upon the
traffic of small craft the restrictions
judged necessary.
Article L. In time Of war. vessels author
lied to enter French rOadsteads and har-
bors must take the anchorages which will
be assigned them by the local authorities
and conform to the instructions of every
kind, issued by these authorities. The
the. necessities of the military command,
and when 1t is necessary to place these
localities upon war footing. the higher
authority can, If circumstances require
it. order them to withdraw to the ofiing
or to some designated place. This order
must be executed at once, but a delay
may always be granted to vessels which
are justified in being so situated as to
render immediate compliance impossible.
No vessels shall get under weigh either
to change her anchorage or to leave the
harbor without having been authorized
to do so by the local authorities.
Article s. The measures provided for in
articles 3 and may be put In force during
the period Of mobilization.