The age-herald., 1898-04-27
THE RIGHTS OF
 SPANISH SHIPS Explained in the Proclamation of PfeSl-
 dent Mckinley. SHIPS NOW IN OUR PORTS Allowed Until Hay 21 to Load CarSOeS
 and Depart. NEUTRAL FLAG PROTECTS THEM Only Where Ii is Suspcioned They Are Carry ing Contraband of War-The Cortes Must Settle Question of Prizes
 Already Captured.
NEUTRAL FLAG PROTECTS THEN

Washington, April 26.-The president to- day issued the following proclamation re- specting the rights of Spanish vessels now in or bound to United States ports, and also with regard to the right of search By the President of the United States of
 America--A Proclamation: Whereas, by an act of congress approved April 25. 1898. 1t Is declared that war exists and that war has existed since the 21st day of April A. D. 1898, including said day, be- tween the United States of America and the kingdom of Spain; and,
 Whereas, 1t being desirable that such war should be conducted upon principles in har- mony with the present views of nations and sanction by recent practice, 1t has already been announced that the policy of this gov ernment will not be to resort to privateeriI s, but to adhere to the rules of declaration of Paris.
 Now, therefore, I, William Mckinley, president of the United States of America, by virtue of the power invested in me by the constitution and laws, do hereby declare and proclaim, that:
 F'irst-The neutral flag covers the enemy's goods with the exception of contraband of war.
 Second-Neutral goods not contraband of war are not liable to confiscation under the enemys flag.
 Must Be Effective
 Third-Blockades in order to be binding must be effective.
 Fourth-Spanish merchant vessels in any ports or places within the United States shall be allowed until May 21, 1898, inclusive, for loading their cargoes and departing from such ports or places; and such Span ish merchant vessels, if met at sea by any United States ship, shall be permitted to continue their voyage, if on examination of their papers 1t shall appear that their cargoes were taken on board before the expiration of above term, provided that nothing herein contained shall apply to Spanish vessels having on board any off, cers in the military or naval service of the enemy, or any coal (except such as may be necessary for their voyage), or any other article prohibited, contraband of war, or any dispatch to the Spanish gov ernment.
 Fifth-Any Spanish merchant vessel which prior to April 21, 1898, shall have sailed from any foreign port bound for any port or any place in the United States, shall be permitted to enter such port or place, and to discharge her cargo and af- terwards forthwith to depart without mo- lestation; and any such vessel if met at sea by any United States warship shall be permitted to continue her voyage to any port not blockaded.
 Sixth-The right of search is to be exer-
 cised with strict regard for the right of neutrals and the voyages of mail steam ships are not to be interfered with except on the dearest ground of suspicion of a violation of law in respect to contraband or blockade.
 (Signed) WILLIAM MKINLEY. In witness whereof, etc., done at the De- partment of State, this 26th day of April, etc.
 The Question of Prizes. The cabinet meeting today, which last d from II until 1 o'clock, was uneventful so far as its deliberations were made public. The matter of the prizes already taken by our fleet in Cuban waters was incident ally referred to, particularly the case of the Buena Ventura. This and all other
 prize cases will go to the prize court,
 which is the United States district court
 having jurisdiction of the port where landed
 All nations, it is said, recognize properly constituted prize courts as the only au- | thorty having jurisdiction and their de- , cisions are taken as conclusive and final. | The government has not thought of realiz- | ing on any of the prizes taken except in rare cases, where an evident error has been committed