The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-04-28
A DECREE ISSUED.
Spanish Government Declares War Be.
tween Spain and the United States.



MADRID, April 25.-The following de.
cree was gazetted Sunday:
Diplomatic relations are broken off
between Spain and the United States,
and the 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 provo
cation come from our adversaries, and
it is they who, by their detestable con-
duct. have caused this grave conflict"
The royal decree then says Spain
maintains her right to have recourse
to privateering and announces that for
the present only auxiliary cruis-
ers will be be fitted out. All
treaties with the United States are
nnnulled; 30 days are given United
States ships to leave Spanish ports
and the rules Spain will observe dur
lag the war are outlined in five clauses
covering neutral flags and goods, con-
traband OF war, wnat will be consiu-
cred blockade. the right of search
and what constitutes contraband of
war. ending with saying foreign pri-
vateers will be regarded as pirates
Contin uing. the decree reads:
"We have observed with the strict.
est fidelity the principles of interna-
tional 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
!oes not exempt from the duty of re-
,pecting the principles therein enun-
lated. The principle Spain unques-
,ionably refused to admit then was the
abolition OF privateering. The gov
crnment now considers it most indis-
pensable to make absolute reserve on
This point. in order to maintain our
liberty of ac ton and uncontested right
o have recourse to privateering when
we consider it eXpedient
Following is a summary of the more
important of the five clauses outlining
he rules Spain will observe during the
war:
/. BY organizing Immediately force
of cruisers, auxiliary to the navy,
which will be composed of vessels of
our mercantile navy.
3. Neutral merchandise. except con-
traland of war, is not seizable under
the enemy's flag.
3. A blockade to be obligatory must
be effective. viz, it must be main.
tanned with sufficient force to prevent
access to the enelny's littoral.
4. The Spanish government uphold.
ing its 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 cooperate with the
navy according to the needs of the
campaign and will be under naval con-
troll.
s. 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
with international law and the regula-
tions which will be published
6. Defines what is included in con-
traband of war, naming weapons. am
munition, equipments, engines and IN
general, all the appliances used in war.
Z. To 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 if provided
with letters of marque issued by the
United States.