Evening journal., 1898-04-23
POLICY OF NEUTRALITY.
The United States Will Not COun-
tenSnce PriVateering.
RUMORS OF NAVAL ENGAGEMENT
Story From Florida OF a Fight Between
an American Monitor and a Span
ish Man-of-war-No on
oiaI Confirmation.

oial Confirmation.
WASHINGTON, April 23-There were
two further important steps IN Wash
ington yesterday toward actual hostlll-
ties. not IN mention the overt act In
volved In the seizure OF the Spanish
vessel nuena Ventura off Key West
The first was the issue by the president
of his proclamation announcing TO the
world q blockade Of a number Of Gu
ban ports, and the second was the sign
ing by him of the bill providing for the
utilization OF the volunteer forces In
war. Then In addition there was a
notable retirement from the navy de-
partment In the case OF Captain Royal
y. Bradford, chief OF the equipment d.
vision Captain Bradford 10 not only
an officer OF high scientific attainments,
but Is equipped as we'll in great prac-
teal experience in naval matters. AL
though he has not held his present Of
fee long and by custom Is entitled to
nearly three years OF further service
here he has become so impatient to
Join in active service that he yesterday
addressed tho following letter to the
president:
Il respectfully tender my resignation
as chief Of the bureau OF equipment OF
the navy department. It has been a
great pleasure TO serve during your ad-
ministratlon IN my pending capacity,
and beg to express my thanks for the
honor conferred upon pe by your ap-
polntment TO such n responsible Office.
This resignation Is rendered only that
may ask for active service ahoat"
Captain Bradford addressed similar
letter to Secretary Long, with the addi-
ton Of request 70 have the command
Of an active warship. The resignation
viii be accepted. and by virtue of his
rank. as well as TO mark the high re-
gard entertained for him by the ad-
ministrauop. Captain Bradford will be
given one Of the best available ships In
tho navy.
The naval authorities welcomed With
pleasure the manifestation OF patriot
Ism on the part of a distinguished New
York citizen in rendering TO the gov
ernment without compensation his
speedy steam yacht.
Following up the formalitles begin
ming with tho blockade proclamation.
the state department yesterday after
noon addressed an Identical note to all
OF the representatives OF foreign nations
accredited 10 Washington. notifying
them OF the policy TO be pursued by
this government in tho matter OF pri-
vateoring and neutrality. This was fol-
lpwed by the sending Of cable messages
TO all American embassies and lega-
tons abroad containing the same In
formation in a little more succinct form
for presentation 10 the governments TO
which they are accredited.
The statement was precisely similar
in terms TO that forecasted last We'd
nesday, and it's formal adoption by the
government as the line of policy TO be
pursued was not prevented by the
criticism passed upon II IN the senate
Thursday by Mr.. Money OF Mississippi.
In brief It declares that our govern
ment win mot resort TO privateering;
that enemy's goods in neutral bottoms
save contraband are exempt from
seizures that neutral goods not contra
band under enemys flag are safe from
seizure. and that blockades to be bind
ing must be effective. In substance.
these are the principles laid down in
the agreement Of Paris OF 1856
The officials are not disturbed at the
semiohicial notice from Madrid that
Spain will refuse to be bound by the
same principles and forbid prlvateer-
ing, for they are satisfied that the great
commercial powers will not tolerate the
practice OF privateering under the
Spanish flag.
Inasmuch as there exists great
amount of misapprehension not only
among forel~0 countries, but also
among American shippers. as to the
character of merchandise that is con-
traband and liable to seizure during
the progress OF war. the following un.
official but authentic statement regard.
ing contraband Of war has been OBJ
tainod from a high official OF the gov
ernment:
I'm determining, according 10 the Law
OF nations, whether merchandise I.
contraband of war II is classified as
follows: First. absolute contraband
second, occasional or conditional con
traband; third. goods not contraband.
oThe first class includes all goods o
an essentially warllSe character
THE second class includes provisions
naval stores, coal, horses, certain kind
of machinery, certain forms of steel
iron. etc. which are subservient 20 war
like use and which are destined for tn
use Of the enemy. They are contra
band or not according to occasion
and conditions as 70 their character
shipment and destined use Every sucl
case depends on its own facts.
''The third class Includes articles no
suited 10 warlike use. such as churc'
service and musical instruments. house
hold goods and other such like article
and including many that are purel
mercantile in character.
No article Of merchandise IS contra
band unless transported beyond tn
Territorial waters and jurisdiction Of
neutral state. nor r-,less destined 70
an enemy port or for enemy use or 10
any enemy ship upon the high sea
which belligerent ships are permitte
TO police in search Of enemy ships an
contrabsnd OF war
mo final and exhaustive definition
contraband articles can be given The
are changing with the progress of II
vention. Some articles were formecl