Evening star., 1898-04-29
INSTRUCTIONS TO CoLLEcroRs
when Clearance May he Refused to
Vessels.

Assistant Secretary Spaulding has issued
the Following instructions for the guidance
OF customs officers.
l. Clearance will be refused to any ves-
sci Tor a port or place blockaded by the
United States.
Clearance will be refused to any vcs-
SCI carrying goods which are contraband
or war for any Spanish port
j. Clearance will be refused 10 any ves-
sci carrying coal for any Spanish port.
. Clearance will be refused 10 any
American vessel for any Spanish mort
D. Up TO and including NAV n lsas
clearance will be granted 10 any Spanish
merchant vessel now in any port or place
oi the United States. for any foreign port
except port blockaded by the United
states, provided that such vessel shall no;
nave on board any officer I'm the military
or naval service of Spain or any coal ,ax-
cept such as may be necessary for tho
royasel, or any other article prohibited or
,on,i ~ ~ aSahu OF war. or any dispatch OF or
70 the spanish government. Collectors will
issue certificate to any such vessel on
clearance, reciting that said vessel has
computed with the provisions of the proc
tamaton OF the President of the United
states, signed April 26 lSss and by yirtne
OF that proclamation is entitled to continue
Ser voyage IL met at sea by any United
states ship, except to a blockaded mort To
the certificate shall be attached a conv OF
the proclamation aforesaid
Clearance In ballast will be granted 70
any spanish merchant vessel which prior
TO April 21, 1898, shall have sailed from
any foreign port bound for any port or
place i'm the United States as soon as her
cargo is dischaIged. for any foreign mort.
S,spt port biockaded by the United
states, provided such vessel shall not have
on board any officer in the military or
naval service of Spain. or any dispatch OF
or TO the Spanish government. Collectors
on clearance, reciting that said vessel has
complied with the provisions of the
proclama ton Of the President of the United
states, signed April &c. 1s9S. and by virtue
OF that proclamation is entitled to continue
on her voyage IL met at sea by United
states ship, except to a blockaded port To
the oertificate shall be attached a copy Of
the proclamation aforesaid
70. Clearance will be granted 70 any
american or neutral destined for a neutral
port, with cargo also destined for "a
neutral port. without regard to the kind
of law.
Where officers of customs have reason
10 believe that coal or articles considered
use Of enemies of the United States clear
ance will be withheld until a report has
been forwarded to and instructions issued
by the department.
81 Clearance will be issued in all other
law.
Soiectors In doubt In any particular
application for clearance will telegraph
promptly the facts to the department and
withhold clearance until instructed.
~ The department declines to give gen.
eral advice to masters and owners Of ves-
sells. shippers, consignees, ETC. etc Any
specific case requiring action by the de-
partment must be submitted by those con-
cerned TO the proper officer of the customs
who, II I'm doubt, will communicate with
the department and await Instructions be-
fore taking action"