Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-04-28
NOW DECLARES WAR.
Spain Issues Decree Announcing Ex-
istence of Hosti.;.ieS.
Gives American Vessels Thirty Days
I'm Which to Leave Her waters
-Reserves the Right to En-
gage In Privateering.

Madrid, April 25.-The Spanish gov
eminent has formally recognized the
state of war that exists between Spain
and the United States. A royal decree
was gazetted here Sunday announcing
that diplomatic relations between the
two nations had been broken off and a.
state of war begun. The decree is as
follows:
Diplomatic relations are broken Off he
tween Spain and the United States, and
the state OF war having begun between the
two countries, numerous questions of inter-
national law arise which must be pre-
cisely defined chiefly because the injustice
and provocation come from our adyer-
sares, and it is they who, by their de-
testable conduct, have caused this grave
| conflict.
1--WE have observed with strictest fidelity
the principles of international law and
| have shown the most scrupulous respect
for morality and the right of government
There is an opinion that the fact that we
have not adhered to the declaration of
Paris does not exempt us from the duty of
respecting the principles therein enunci-
ated. The principle Spain unquestionably
refused to admit then was the abolition Of
! priyateering. The government now con-
| siGers 1t most indispensable to make abso-
lutte reserve on this point in order to main
| tain our liberty of action and uncontested
right TO have recourse to privateering
when we consider 1t expedient, first by or
ganizng Immediately force of cruisers
| auxiliary to the navy, which will be COM
| posed of vessels of our mercantile marine
and with equal distinction in the work of
| our navy"
Following is a summary of the more i'm
portant of the five clauses outlining the
rules Spain will observe during the war:
| CLAUSE /. The state of war existing be-
tween Spain and the United States annuls
the treaty of peace and amity of October
II, 1875, and the protocol of January u,
| 1877, and all other agreements, treaties or
conventions in force between the two coun-
| tries.
Clause 2. From the publication of these
presents 30 days are granted to all ships
of the United States anchored in our har-
bors to take their departure free of him
drance.
Clause 8. Notwithstanding that Spain
! has not adhered to the declaration of Paris,
| the government, respecting the principles
of the law of nations, proposes to observe,
and hereby orders to be observed, the fol-
| lowing regulations of maritime law:
81. Neutral flags cover the enemy's mer-
chandise except contraband of war.
'2. Neutral merchandise, except contra
| band of war, is not seizable under the eiZe-
mys flag.
80 a blockade to be obligatory must be
! effective-viz.: 1t must be maintained with
sufficient force to prevent access to the
enemys littoral.
II. The Spanish government, upholding
| it's right to grant letters of marque, will
! at present Confine itself to organizing, with
! the vessels of the mercantile marine,
force of auxiliary cruisers which will CO.
! operate with the navy according to the
needs of the campaign and will be under
! naval control.
rs. In order to capture the enemy's ships
! and confiscate the enemy's merchandise
! and contraband of war; under whatever
| form, the auxiliary cruisers will exercise
! the right of search on the high seas and in
| the waters under the enemys jurisdiction,
| in accordance with international law and
! the regulations which will be published.
&c. Defines what is included in contra
| band of war, naming weapons, ammuni-
| ton, equipments, engines, and, in general,
! all the appliances used in war.
81. To be regarded and judged a. pirates
with all the rigor of the law are captains,
masters, officers and two-thirds Of the
| crews of vessels which, not being Ameri-
| can, shall commit acts of war against
! Spain, even if provided with letters of
marque issued by the United States"
| May Be Forced to ketaliate.
Madrid, April 25.-Spain's adherence
to the right of privateering, if expedi-
ent, has given great satisfaction in
| Spain, where the public press markedly
approves the attitude of the govern
ment. Fears are expressed on the con-
tinent that the United States will find
| it necessary to retaliate, despite the
adhesion of the government to the dec
laration of Paris. In any case SPANS
attitude will enhance the Importance of
the negotiations of the powers, which,
| it is understood, have been initiated
| by Italy, with view to making ar
rangements to protect neutrals on the
seas. 1t is reported from Vienna that
England holds aloof from the negotia-
tions, though this is discredited.
The Kolniche Zeitung remarks, how
ever, that ''as neither Spain nor the
| United States occupies anything like
| position of supremacy on the seas, neu-
trail governments, will easily be able to
insist on the adherence of both to the
declaration of Paris" and looking to
the Importance of American markets
for German industry and commerce."
it expresses doubts whether the pro-
visions of the existing law of nations
are adequate to meet the necessities Of
the case"
This journal thinks it possible that
the war will result in fresh extension
of the principles applicable to the mat
ter" In fact, it looks as though trade
interests will compel veering of Ger
man feeling in the dispute toward the
United States. A tendency in this di-
rection is also noticed in France and
Italy. A general rise in the price of
wheat has occurred already throughout
Europe.
Germany Will Remain Neutral.
London, April 25.-The Berlin CORE
spondent of the Standard says Germany
will take no steps prejudicial to the
United States, nor probably join in any
intervention ON SPANS behalf. 1t is
evident, therefore, that the meeting
Saturday at Dresden between Emperor
William and Emperor Francis Joseph
signally failed to bring Germany into
| line with Austria.
| Ordered south mt Once.