The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-25
SPAIN Will PRlVATEER
Will Have Recourse to 1t When
Deemed Expedient.
SHE ISSUES A DECREE
<Au Trsasass With the United states Are
ADMINISTRATORS Vessels Are
0iver Thirty Days to Leave
Spanish Ports.

AHIn iii itt iUb Nv
cree was gaxetted to-day: Diplomatic
relations are broken of between Spain
AN the United States and a state of
wal being begun between the two coun-
tries. numerous questions of interna-
tional Law arise which must be pre-
cisely defined. chiefly because the in
Justice and p~rovocation comes from our
sadversaries and II is they who. by their
detestabie conduct. nav caused this
grave conflict"
The royal decree then says that Spain
maintains her right to have recourse TO
privateering and announces that for the
present only auxiliary cruisers will be
States are annulled. Thirty days are
given United States ships 10 leave Span
ish ports and the rules Spain will OBJ
serve during the war are outlined in five
clauses. covering neutral flags and goods
contraband OF war, what will be con-
sidered a blockade. right Of search and
what constitutes contraband of war.
ending with saying that foreign pri-
vateers will be regarded as pirates.
Continuing. the decree adds: w
have striven with the strictest fidelity
60 observe the principles of interna-
tional 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 respect
ing the principles therein e~nunciated.
frha nvfnafnla Gnain nntaatfapah lx- a
fused to admit then was the abolition
OF privateering. The government now
considers II most indispensable to have
recourse to privateering when we con-
slider IL expedient, first organizing inn
mediately a force of cruisers, auxiliary
TO the a which will be composed of
vessels of our mercantile marine. and
with equal distinction in the work of
our navy.
Following is a summary of the more
important of the five clauses outlining
the rules Spain will observe during the
war:
Clause 1.-The state of war existing
between Spain and the United States
annuls the treaty of peace and amity
Of October q, 1895, and the protocol of
January IL. 1877. N all other agree
ments. treaties or conventions in force
W the two countries.
Clause From the publication of
= ttFttth wv ~ - w
all ships of the United States anchored
in our harbors to take their departure
free from hindrance.
Clause notwithstanding that
Spain has not adhere 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 law:
"1-Neutrality flags cover the enc
my's merchandise except c~ontraband Of
war.
"2-Neutral merchandise. except con-
raband OF war. is nov seizable under
the enemy's flag.
"3-A blockade. to be obligatory must
be effective. viz, IL must be maintained
with sufficient force to reven access
to the enemy's littoral.
"s-The Spanish government. uphold
ing Its right to grant letters OF marque,
will at present confne itself to organ
king with the vessels of the mercan-
tile marine a 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.
SIN 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 n In the waters under the
epemy's jurisdiction In accordance with
international law and the regulations
of which will be observed"
Six defines what is included In con-
traband of war, naming m
munition. equipments. engines and in
general all the appliances used in war.
ITO be regarded and judged as pir-
ates. with all 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 " provided
with letters of maroue issued by the
IvUited states"