The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-04-30
SPAIN DECLARES FOR WAR
Decree of the Government Published
Announcing Hostilities with
the United States.
RESERVES The RIGHT OF PRIvA1eeRIHQ
All Treaties with the American Re,
public Are Annullcd and American
Ships Arc Warned to Leave Gas,
lillian Ports in Thirty Days-Full
Text of the Procla alton.

Madrid, April 25.-The Spanish gov,
eminent has formally recognized the
state Of war that exists between Spain
and the United States. A royal decred
was gazetted here Sunday announcing
that diplomatic relations between the
two nations had been broken off and
state of war begun. The decree is ai
follows:
diplomatic relations are broken of be.
tween Spain and the United States, and
the state OF war having begun between tho
two countries. numerous questions Of inter4
national law arise which must be pre-.
c!sely defined chiefly because the injustici
and provocnt!on come from our adver.
enr!es. and II Is they who. by their deA
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
havo not adhered to the declaration Of
Paris does not exempt us from the duty Of
respecting the principles therein enunots
ated. The principle Spain unQuestionably
refused TO admit then was the abolition Of
privntoer.ng. The government now con.
siders 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 privateer!na
when we consider it eXpedient. first by ors
ganizing 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 moro iras
portant OF the five clauses outlining tho
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 am!ty Of October
1877. and all other agreements, treaties OF
conventions In force between the two coun-
tries.
CLAUSE 2. From the publication Of these
presents 80 days are granted to all shipa
OF tho United States anchored in our harA
bors to take their departure free OF hln-
drance.
CLAUSE s. Notwithstanding that spaiu
has not adhered to the declaration OF Paris.
the government. respecting the principles
OF tho law OF nations. proposes to observe,
and hereby orders to be observed, the folk
lowing regulations Of maritime law
Il. Neutral flags cover the ensmy's mere
chandse except contraband OF war.
-. Neutral merchandise. except contra<
band of war, Is not se!zablc under the ene>
mys flag.
'3 A blockade to be obligat tory must bs
sufficient force TO prevent access to the
enemy's littoral.
~ Tho Spanish government, unfolding
its right to grant letters Of marque. will
at present conilne itself to organizing, With
the vessels OF the mercantile marine. 4
forco OF auxiliary cruisers which will COZ
operate with the navy according TO tho
needs of the campaign and will be undeD
naval control. s.-.,,. ..-
49, In order TO capture the enerny's shipd
and conhscate the cnemy's merchandise
and contraband OF war. under whatever
form, tho auxiliary cruisers will exercise
the right Of search on the high seas and Id
the waters under the enemy's Jurisdiction,
In accordance with International law and
the regulations which will be published.
%. Defines what is included In contra4
band of war. naming weapons. ammunis
ton. equipments. engines. and. In general,
all the appliances used In war.
u. TO be regarded and Judged as pirates
with all the riEor OF the law are captains.
masters. of1cera and two-thirds Of tho
crews OF vessels which, not being Amer1s
can. shall commit acts OF war against
Spain. even II provided with letters Of
maruue issued by the United States"
Queen Hntcra n Protest.
London. April 26.-The queen regent
of Spain Monday made protest to all
the European powers against the 90.
ton OF the United States.