The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-04-28
NOW D 81 & ES " a &.
Spain Issues Decree Announcing Ex-
istence Of Hostilities.

SPAN ISSUES OecIee Announcing Tx"
istence Of Hostilities.
| Gives american Vessels Thirty Days
In Which to leave Her Waters B
Reserves the Right to En- $E +
gage In Privateering. 5.5
Madrid, April 25.-The Spanish gov
eminent Y has formally recognized the
state OF war that exists between Spain
and the United States. A royal decree
was gazetted here Sunday announcing
that diplomatic relations between the
two nations had been broken off and a
state of war begun. The decree is as
! follows: AZ 5E :
Diplomatic relations are broken off be-.
tween Spain and the United States, and
the state OF war having begun between the
Two countries, numerous questions of inter-
national law arise which must be pre-
clsely denned chiefly because the injustice
| ana provocat1on come from our adver-
saries, and it is they who, by their de-
testable conduct, have caused this grave
conflict. ~
| I'VE have observed with strictest fidelity
the principles of international law and
|
| FOR morality and the right of government.
| There is an opinion that the fact that we
nave not adhered to the declaration of
! Parls does not exempt us from the duty of
| respecting the principles therein enunci-
| ated. The principle Spain unquestionably
refused to admit then was the abolition of
| prlVateerlng. The government now con-
| slders 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 privateering
| when we consider it expedient, first by or
ganizing Immediately a 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 summary of the more i'm
| portant of the five clauses outlining the
rules Spain will observe during the war:
| CLAUSE 1. The state of war existing be-
| tween Spain and the United States annuls
the treaty of peace and amity of October
| II, 1895, and the protocol of January IL
| 1S77, and all other agreements, treaties or
| conventions in force between the two coun-
| tries.
| CLAUSE 2. From the publication of these
| presents 30 days are granted to all ships
of the United States anchored in our har-
bors to take their departure free Of hin
| drance.
CLAUSE 3. Notwithstanding that Spain
has not adhered to the declaration of Paris,
| the government, respecting the principles
| of the law of nations, proposes to observe,
and hereby orders to be observed, the fol-
lowing regulations of maritime law,
! Il. Neutral flags cover the enemy's mer-
| chandise except contraband of war.
| q. Neutral merchandise, except contra
band of war; is not seizable under the enc
my's flag.
| So A blockade to be obligatory must be
effective-viz.: 1t must be maintained with
| f9n41~ To %@' A@
enemy's littoral.
| ~. The Spanish government, upho1ding
| it's right to grant letters of marque, will
| at present conffne itself to organizing, with
| the vessels of the mercantile marine,
| force of auxiliary cruisers which will CO.
| operate with the navy according to the
needs of the campaign and will be under
! naval control.
IS. In order to capture the eneny's ships
and confscate the enemy's merchandise
| 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 eneray's jurisdiction,
| in accordance with International law and
the regulations which will be published.
So Defines what is included in contra
| band of war, naming weapons, ammuni-
ton, equipments, engines, and, in general,
/ all the appliances used in war;
~. To be regarded and judged as pirates
| with all the rigor of the law are captains,
| masters, officers and two-thirds of the
crews of vessels. which, not being Ameri-
can, shall commit acts Of war against
| Spain, even if provided with letters of
| marQue issued by the United States.'
May BE Forced to ketaliate.
Madrid, April 25.-Spain's adherence
to the right of rrivateering, if expedi-
ent, has given great satisfaction. in
Spain, where the public press markedly
approves the attitude of the govern
ment. Fears are expressed on the con-
tinent that the United States will find
it necessary to retaliate, despite the
adhesion of the government to the dec
laration of Paris. In any case SPANS
attitude will enhance the Importance of
the negotiations of the powers, which,
it is understood, have been initiated
by Italy, with view to making ar
rangements to protect neutrals on the
seas. It is reported from Vienna that
England holds aloof from the negotia-
lions, though this is discredited.
The Kolniche Zeitung remarks, how
ever, that ''as neither Spain nor the
United States occupies anything like a
position of supremacy On the seas, neu-
trail governments will easily be able to
insist on the adherence of both to the
declaration of Paris,'' and Hooking to
the Importance of American markets
for German industry and commerce."
it expresses doubts whether the pro-
visions of the existing law of nations
are adequate to meet the necessities of
the case.''
This journal thinks it possible that
the war will result in fresh extension
of the principles applicable to the mat
ter" In fact, it looks as though trade
interests will compel veering of Ger
man feeling in the dispute toward the
United States. A tendency in this di-
rection is also noticed in France and
Italy. A general rise in the price of
wheat has occurred already throughout
Europe. ...u
| Germany Will Remain Neutral.
London, April 25-The Berlin CORE
| spondent of the Standard says Germany
will take no steps prejudicial to- the
United States, nor probably join in any
| Intervention on Spain's behalf. It is
evident, therefore. that the meeting
Saturday at Dresden between Emperor
William and Emperor. Francis Joseph
signally failed to bring Germany into
line with Austria. H., -
Ordered south at Once . y
Detroit, Mich, April 25.-Commander
| Gilbert Wilkes, of the Michigan, naval,
| militia. has received orders to proceed