The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-25

Madrid, April 24.-The following de-
cree was gazeJted today:
Diplomatic relations are broken off
between Spain and the United States
and state Of war being begun be-
tween the two countries, numerous
questions Of international law arise
which must be precisely defined, chiefly
because the injustice and provocation
comes from our adversaries, and it is
they, who, by their detestibIe conduct,
have caused this grave conflict"
The royal decree then says Spain
maintains her right to have recourse
10 priYateering and announces that for
the present only, auxiliary cruisers will
be fitted out. All treaties with the
United States are annulled, 80 days are
given to the United States ships to
leave Spanish ports, and the rules
Spain Will observe during the war are
outlined in five clauses, covering neu
trail flags, and goods. contraband of
war, what will be considered a, block
ade, the right to search, and what con-
stitutes contraband OF war, ending
with saying foreign privateers will be
regarded as pirates.
Continuing, the decree adds:
We have striven with strictest fldel
ity to observe the principles of inter
national law and have shown the most
scrupulous respect for morality and the
right of government. There is an Opin-
ion that the fact that we have not ad-
hered to the declaration of Paris does
not relieve Us from the duty of re-
specting the principles therein enun-
ciated. The principle Spain unques-
JlOndbly refused to admit then was the
abolition of priVateering.
THE government now considers it
most Indispensable to have recourse to
privateering when We consider it ex-
pedient, first organizing Immediately
force of cruisers auxiliary to the
navy"
RULES OF WAR
Following is a summary of the more
important of tie five clauses outlining
the rules Spain will observe during the
wax:
Firstly organizing Immediately a
force of cruisers, auxiliary to the navy,
which will be composed of vessels of
our mercantile marine, and with equal
distinction in the work of our navy
Clause L The state of war existing
between Spain and the United States
annuls the treaty of peace and amity
of Oct p. 1898, and the protocol of
Jan u, 1877 and all other agreements,
treaties or conventions in force be-
tween the two countries.
Clause ,. From the publication of
these. presents, 80 days are granted TO
all ships of the United States anchored
in our harbOrs 10 take their departure
free of hindrance.
Clause ,. notwithstanding that Spain
has not adhered to the declaration of
Paris, the government, respecting the
principles of the law of nations, pro-
poses to observe, and hereby orders to
be observed, the following regulations
of maritime laws:
!. Neutral flags over the enemy's
merchandise, except contraband OF war.
2. Neutral merchandise, except con-
traband of war, is not seizable under
the enemy's flag.
q a blockade, to be obligatory. must
be effective, viz: it must be maintained
with sufficient force to prevent access
20 the enemy's ltterol.
t. The Spanish government, uphold
ing its right TO grant letters Of marque,
will at present confine itself to organ
izing, with the vessels OF the mercan-
tile marine, force of auxiliary cruis
ers, which will cooperate with the
navy according to the needs of the
campaign, and will be under naval con-
troll.
). In order to capture the enemy's
ships and cOnfiscate the enemy's mer-
chandise 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 !
enemy's Jurisdiction, in accordance I
with international law, the regulations /
OF which win be observed.
6. Defines what is included in contra |
band of war, meaning weapons. ammu- |
milton, equipments. engines, ard, in gen. |
erai, all the appliances used in war.
Z. To be regarded and judged as pi- |
rates. with ali the rigOr of the law, are /
captains, masters, officers and two |
thirds of the crew Of vessels which, not |
being American, shall commit acts of !
war against Spain. even if provided |
with letters Of marque issued by the /
Tinted States