The times., 1898-04-25

Madrid. April A-The Gaceta Official
today prints a proclamation by the gov
ernment declaring that a state of war
exists between Spain and the United
States. and announcing that the treaty
of 1875 and the protocol of 1877 are null
and void.
The second clause declares that from
the date Of the proclamation five days
viii be allowed American vessels in
Spanish ports to depart for other waters
The third clause declares that although
Spain is not bound by the declaration Of
Paris she proposes TO recognize the fol-
lowing rules Of maritime rsghts:
First-A neutral flag win protect all
merchandise that is not contraband Of
war. Second-The goous oT a neutral
power. providing they are not contra
band. viii be respected even If carried
under the enemy's flag. Thrd-A block
ade TO be obligatory must be effective.
The fourth. the most important clause,
says that Spain maintains the right to
grant letters Of marque. which right he
reserves TO herself in her note Of May
l6. 1857. contained in her reply TO France.
The fifth section says that for the pur-
pose Of capturing ships belonging to the
enemy and conhscating goods and con-
traband Of war. Spain viii exercise the
right Of searching vesseIs on the high
seas The proclamation then goes on TO
say that the government reserves liberty
Of action relative to the question Of coal
being contraband Of war.
It concludes by stating that Spain will
not issue letters Of marque and will
treat as pirates privateers holding let
tiers Of marque from the United States
Instead Of privateering Spain will utilize
vessels OF her mercantile feet as aux
iliary warships.
cabinet meeting was held today at
which the queen regent presided. All the
ministers were present. II was decided
10 issue instructions TO many merchant
vessels TO join the navy as armed auxil-
iaries. officers. gunners and marines viii
be allotted to these vessels, which Will
have all the rights Of warships. II is IN
derstood that these auxiliaries viii act
as .IegaIized privateers, but win serve un-
der better conditions and have more
rights The question Of privateering was
discussed 10y the cabinet today.
The Proclamation.
The preamble Of the proclamation be-
gins thus:
Diplomatic relations are broken off be
tween Spain and the United States. A
state Of war being begun between the
two countries. numerous questions Of in
ternational law arise which must he pre-
oisely defined. chiefly because injustice
and uTovocation come from our adversa-
-r - rF,ar- E,z-- haf,. do
testalIe conduct. have caused this grave
conflict. We have observed with the
strictest fidelity the principles of inter
national law and have shown the most
scrupulous respect for morality and right
THE government IS OF the opinion that
the fact Of not having adhered TO tho
declaration Of Paris Of 1856 does not ex.
empt ii from The duty Of respecting tht
principles therein enunciated. The prin-
ciple which Spain unequivocally refused
TO admit al that time was the abolition
Of privateering. and the government now
considers ii Indispensable to make the
most absolute ressves on this point in
order 10 maintain our liberty Of action
and our uncontested right to have re-
course 10 priyateering when II is con-
sideUed eXDedient. first Of all by or
Eanizing Immediately a force OF cruisers
auxiliary 10 the navy. which viii be com
posed Of vessels Of our own mercantile
marine. 10 cooperate with equal dis
unction in the work Of the navy"
No Longer Optimistic.
The optimism Of Saturday following
the reported captures Of the Paris and
Shenandoah and several unnamed Ameri-
can vessels few hundred miles from
Cadiz has already given place TO dis
pleasure. The public was surprised Il
learn that an American fleet was within
ten miles Of Havana and then within
five miles. The Havana authorities
cabled that they had put the town OF
the alert by firing three signal guns from
MORO Castle. The Spaniards however
were not impressed by this activity
There is now much anxiety regarding
the safety Of the M0ntserat, Alfonso XII
and Alfonso XIII
After Admiral Bermejo. minister Of ma
Flne. had conferred for an hour today
with the Queen Regent, the latter sum
moned tWenty-seven admirals. with whom
she consulted. Important decisions wer'
arrived al, and these were immediatel.
felegra phed 10 the ports and the fleets
Public opinion emphatcally approves tn
governments decision regarding privat
cering, contraband Of war, and the righ
Of search The preamble Of the procla
nation says teXtuaily that the govern
meut expressly refuses 10 ADMIT me aD
clifton Of privateering.
The balance sheet Of the Bank Of Spai
has been published in the Madrid Ga
zette * shows the results Of the in
creased engagements Of the treasur
with the bank. and the result Of the ru
on the bank IN both Madrid and the prov
inces for silver in exchange for notes
The cash in hand, according 10 The re
port has declined over IS 100000 pesetas
capt. Gen. Blanco cables that tn
American feet disappeared in a FEY
hours and then reappeared in sight @
Havana.
The PoPe's Position
Rome, April 4.-Cardinal Rampolla
Papal secretary Of state. declared toda
that the Pope had resolved 10 maintai
position Of absolute neutrality durin
the war and 20 permit no prayers ex
cept for peace.
ItaIy'A Notice 10 the Powers.
Rome. april 24-The Italia declare
serni-ofiicially that Italy has notified IN
powers that coal cannot be gade con
trabsnd Of war.