New-York tribune., 1896-11-30
COAST PROTECTION N WARTIME.
REGULATIONS ISSUED BY FRANCE FOR The
CONTROL OF VESSELS.

Uosbrg,or Nov 9q-Secretarv Herbert has pub
lished 10 the Navy. in general orders. decree oi
the Government of France prescribing regulations
for the entrance and sojourn Of vessels In the sea-
ports of that country In time of war. Although IN
tended for the Information and guidance OF com
manding officers Of United States naval vessels, the
new regulations are of importance to the masters OF
all ships and they have the additional interest 10
the general public Of showing what steps to protect
ports are believed to be necessary by great naval
power Their enactment proclaims that France -
omitting no detail in her claborat, preparations for
the conflict which that Government has long deemed
inevitable. The decree. which was issued ny Presi-
dent Faure on June Y last. and formally commune
Gated TO the Department of State recently by the
French Ambassador here, contains fve articles. as
follows
Article LIN time Of war. between sunrise and sun
set. French merchant vessel nor any foreign
vessel, whether man-of-war or merchanfman.
shall approach within less than three miles OF the
French coasts (France and French posscssions) be-
fore having been authorized 50 TO do between sunset
and sunrise the prohibition 10 approach within less
than three miles Is absolute.
Between sunrise and sunset all vessels that are at
e'@ be- dstinsushed % G th@retTom m % shall carry tRS
tona colors II they desire to enter the proniDteii
for pilot: but they shall remain without the three
mile limit until they nave been boarded or until a
semaphore has sgnaled 10 them that their request
has been grantee.
AN vessels must Immediately obey all orders sig
war; either verbally or by international code OF SIG
mails.
vessei affected by this decree conform to the
above order the nearest fort or vessel OF war shall
II this first notice Is without effect, there shall he
fired two minutes Later prolectiie' ana hnaay;
does stop stand OFF, an effective IRE snail be
opened. In case Of urgency the preliminary DiahK
Article S-In time Of war. small craft. other
than those beonsing 10 French men -ot-war. ,n snn
go and in the fortified roads ana harhofs
without special authorization and without having having
received from the maritime authorities the means
During both day and night the going and coming
OF small steamers, other than those bsongins to
French vessels Of war shall be absolutely pro-
hibited Rowboats. however. can go and come
from sunrise to sunset. provided they have re.
ceivcd permission from the port AUTHORITIES, hut
under the reservation that they ar" 20 keep clear
OF vessels of war. II ordered. and OF not com
muncating with them IN any case "ithout nav
ing asked and received authority SO 10 do
The going and coming e authorized small craft
IS subjected elsewhere 10 the local instructions
issued by tho prefect or local authority and espe
cially as regards the prohibition TO enter certain
with any other places than thos" expressly d"sig-
mated.
In commercial ports special measures will BE-
taken by higher authority. OF such . nature to
the interests Of cominerce. although impoS-
ing upon the traffic OF small craft the restrictions
Article In time Of war vessels authorized to
the anchorage which Will be assigned them bv the
local authorities and conform TO the instructions.
OF every kind issued by these authorities.
The length OF their sojourn IL subordinate 10 tho
necessities OF the military command. ana when II
IS necessary TO place these localities upon a war
footing the higher authority can II circumst tance-
require 1t. order them 10 withdraw 10 the o'fng or
10 some designated place
This order must Doe executed AZ once but delay
may ALWAYS be granted to vessels which are justi-
compliance Impossible No vessel shall get under
way. either to change her anchorage or TO leave
the harbor without having been authorized TO
do by the Local authorities.
Article The measures provided for by Articles
mobilization.