The age-herald., 1898-04-27
ATTITUDE OF
 NEUTRALITY Notices Coming From tho Four Quarters
 of the Globe. POSITION OF GREAT BRITAIN ltlS Said Hill ProVe oi Benefit to the
 United States. GERMANY HAS NOT YET REPLIED But It Is Believed She Will Observe Strict Neu- traIity-The Declaration of Portugal Is Considered Important at
 This luncture.
 
GERMANY HAS NOT YET REPLIED
This 1unciure.

, the state department from the four quar- ters of the globe today showing that the nations as Q rule prepared 70 assume an attitude of strict neutrality as between ..the United States and Spain in the present struggle In most cases they were in an- swer to the identical note sent out yester. day by the state department to all Unit ed States embassies and legations instruct ing them to inform the governments to which they were accredited that war has existed since April 21.
 Great Britain always has taken an ad- vanced stand In the principles of neutrality so that 1t was with great interest that the news was received here of the terms of the neutrality proclamation issued in Lon- don. On the whole the officials are dis- posed to take the view that a strict ad- herence by Great Britain to these rules will be rather more advantageous to the United States than to Spain, particularly as we are now operating in the naval sense close to our own base of supplies and in all probability will cut Spain off from the two bases that she now has in the neigh borhood of Cuba.
 Pauncefote Receives the News
 Washington, April 26.-Sr Julian Paunce-
  ed a cable dispatch from the British for eign office signed by Lord Salisbury, an- nouncing that the queens proclamation of neutrality in the war between Spain and the United States had been signed. The dispatch states that the proclamation is similar to those issued on former occasions, but in addition it directs special attention to the three rules of the treaty of Washing ton of May 8, 1871, article 6, which will be observed toward both countries. The three rules to which Lord Salisbury directs special attention are of exceptional mo- ment just at present, owing to the pres ence in British ports of several warshps including the Somers and Albany, intended for the United States navy. .,- The three rules are as follows:
 neutral government is bound-arst, to use due diligence to prevent the fitting out, | arming or equipping upon its Jurisdiction | of any vessel which it has reasonable grounds 10 believe is intended to cruise or to carry on war with a power with which 1t is at peace and also to use due diligence to prevent the departure from its jurisdic- tion of any vessel intended to cruise or carry on war as above, such vessel having been specially adapted in whole or part within such jurisdiction, to warlike use.
 Regarding BeIiigerents
 Secondly, not to permit or snsfer either belligerent to make use of it's ports and waters as the base of naval operations against the other, or for the purpose Of renewal or augmentation of military sup plies or arms, or to recruit men.
 Thirdly, to exercise due diligence in its own ports and waters, and, as to all per- sons within its Jurisdiction, to prevent any violation of the foregoing obligations and duties"
 The second rule doubtless accounts for the announced departure of the United States fleet from Hong Kong. Tho first rule applies directly to several ships pur- chased by the United States abroad and now hurrying to completion in British yards. Most important of these is the fine cruiser Albany, formerly the Abrouall of | the Brazilian navy.
 From the strict rule adopted In stopping the torpedo boat Somers and the mail steamer Ireland as reported by press dis patches the rule against the departure of warships will be given a very rigid con- struction.
 First to Be Issued
 The British proclamation of neutrality is | the first one to be issued, probably because | of the important commercial interests in- yolved. It is hardly believed the United States would urge proclamation, the first effect of which is to tie up American war ships nearing completion in British waters,
 It was stated in high diplomatic quarters today that no further doubt existed as to the attitude of Portugal in maintaining neutrality. This is regarded as specially important at this time, owing to the fact that the Cape Verde islands, the Azores and the Maderas belong to Portugal. All of these groups have fine harbors and coaling facilities and are so located as to be of vital service to the Spanish navy in case their use was not barred by Portugal s neutrality.
 The neutrality of Portugal will prevent a longer use of the islands as base of oper- ations for the Spanish ships, or even a stop- ping place for them
 The report that Germany would not issue proclamation of neutrality in order to leave her hands free for intervention, if it seems desirable, cannot be confirmed in diplomatic quarters here. On the contrary there Is every indication that Germany will observe strict neutrality and a semi official announcement to that effect was about a week ago made. It is believed Germany will consult her practical and commercial interest rather than any sen timental consideration. So long as German ships and German commerce are unmolest- ed during the war, Germanys neutral at- titude is likely to be maintained.
 Polo at Toronto
 It is held among leading diplomats that no question can be raised as to the status of Senor Polo at Toronto. He is said to be private citizen, holding the right of domicile in neutral country. It Is doubted also whether the authorities here would seek to crowd Senor Polo as to the method of his departure. One of his nearest per- sonal friends in the diplomatic corps stat ed today that Senor Polo's stay at Tor onto would not exceed few days, as he was there merely for administrative pur- poses in assembling consuls withdrawn from various points in this country, and assigning them to other points in neutral territory The intimation in the British house of commons that Minister Polo had been accredited not only to the United States but to all of North America, Is en- tirely erroneous. The late minister was accredited solely to the United States.