The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-01
CLEARANCES IN WAR.
Rules for the Customs Officers Is
sued by the Department.

WASHINGTON, April 30.-Assistant Secre-
tary Spaul6ing today issued the following in
structiOns for the guidance of customs Off
GERS:
sells for port or place blockaded by the
United States.
2. Clearances will be refused to any YES
sci carrying goods which are contraband Of
war for any Spanish port.
s. Clearances will be refused to any ves-
sci carrying coal for any Spanish port.
t. Clearances will be refused to any
American vessel for any Spanish port
>. Up to and including May q, 1898. clear
ance will be granted to any Spanish mer-
chant vessel now in any port or place of the
port blockaded by the United States, pro-
vided that such vessel shall not have on
board any officers in the military or naval
service CT Spain, or any coal, Except such
as may he necessary for the voyage) or any
other article prohibited contraband of
war, CT any dispatch of or to the Spanish
government Collectors will issue certif-
cate to any such vessel on clearance, recit-
ing that said vessel has complied with the
provisions OF the proclamation of the presi-
dent Of the United States, signed April g.
1898. and by virtue of that proclamation is
entitled to continue her voyage. If met at
by any United States ship, except to
blockaded port. To the certificate shall be
attached copy Of the proclamation afore-
said.
Clearance in ballast will be granted to any
Spanish merchant vessel which, prior to
April p. 1898, shall have sailed from any
foreign port bound for any port or place in
the United States as soon as her cargo is
discharged, for any foreign port except a
port blockaded by the Omitted States pro-
vided such vessel shall not have on board
any officer in the military or naval service
Of Spain, or any dispatch OF or to the Span
ish government. Collectors will issue GER
tificate to any such vessel on clearance re-
citing that said vessel has complied with
the provisions CT the proclamation of the
president Of the United States signed Aprli
20. 1888 and by virtue of the proclama-
ton is entitled to continue on her voyage
If met at sea by United States ship ex-
cept to biockaded port
To the certificate shall be attached a copy
of the proclamation aforesaid.
9. Clearance will be granted to any Amer
lean or neutral vessel destined for neutral
port with cargo for neutral port without
regard to the kind of cargo. on compli-
ance with the provisions of the law
Where officers OF customs have reason to
believe that coal or articles considered con-
traband of are destined for the use of
enemies of the United States, clearance will
be withheld until report has been for
warded to and instructions issued by the de-
partment.
Z. Clearance will be issued In all other
cases in compliance with the provisions of
law.
S. Collectors In doubt in any particular
application for clearance will telegraph
promptly the facts to the department and
withhold clearance until instructed
8. The department declines to give gen.
eral advice to masters and owners Of yes
sells. shippers. consignees, etc. ANY specific,
case requiring action by the department.
must be submitted by those concerned TO
the proper officer of the customs who. If in
doubt. will communicate with the depart
ment and await instructions before taking
action.