The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-25

MADRID. April "a, p. m.-The fol-
lowing decree was gazetted to-day:
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS ARE
BROKEN OFF BETWEEN SPAIN
AND THE UNITED STATES AND
THE STATE OF WAR BEING BEGUN
BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES,
NUMEROUS QUESTIONS OF INTER
NATIONAL LAW ARISE, WHICH
MUST BE PRECISELY DEFINED,
CHIEFLY BECAUSE THE MUS
TICE AND PRoVoCAT1oN CAME
FROM OUR ADvERsARIES, WHO,
BY THEIR DETsETABLE CONDUCT.
HAVE CAUSED THIS. GRAVE CON-
FLICT.
Continuing the. decree reads:
Eve have observed with the strictest
fidelity the principles Of international
law and have shown the most scrupu-
lous 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 does not ex-
exempt from the duty Of respecting the
principles therein enunciated. The
principle Spain unquestionably refused
TO admit then was the abolition OF pri-
Watering. 1.-THE government now con-
sidcrs II most Indispensable to make
absolute reserve on this point, In order
to maintain our liberty OF action and
uncontested right to have recourse to
priVateering when we consider 1t expe-
dent. i 5E -
First, by organizing Immediately a
force Of cruisers, auxiliary 10 the navy,
which will be composed Of vessels OF our
mercantile marine and with equal dis
tinction In the work Of our navy.
Clause 1.-The state of war existing
between Spain and the United States
anpuls the treaty Of peace and amity
of October FL 1895. and the. protocol of
January IS, 1877, and oil other agree
ments, treaties or conventions In force
between the two countries.
Clause 2-From the publication OF
these presents, thirty days are granted
to all ships of the United States an
chored In our harbors, to take their de-
parture free of hindrance
Clause 81 Notwithstanding that
Spain has not adhered 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:
~. Neutral flags cover the enemy's
merchandise, except contraband OF war.
'2. Neutral merchandise. except con-
traband of war, Is not seizable under the
enemy's flag.
.3. ASblockade to be obligatory must
be effective, viz: 1t must be maintained
with sufficient force TO prevent access to
the enemy's littoral.
~. The Spanish government, uphold
Ing Its right to grant letters of marque,
will at present confine itself to organiz-
ing, with the vessels Of the mercantile
marine, a force Of auxiliary cruisers
which will cooperate with the navy ac-
cordlng to the needs of the campaign
and will be under naval control.
"5. 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-
tons which WILDE published.
&c. Defines what Is included In con-
traband Of war, naming weapons, am
munition. equipments, engines and In
general, oil the appliances in war. g4
u. To be regarded and Judged as
pirates, with all the vigor 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 II provided with
letters of marquc issued by the United
States"