The record-union., 1898-04-25
But She Will Treat Foreign PriVa-
teerS as Pirates.
Thirty Days VIII be Given to United
States Ships Anchored in Her
HarbOrs to Depart Free
From HindranGe.

MADRID, April 24-1 p. m.-The
royal decree says Spain maintains her
right to have recourse to privateering,
and announces that for the present
only auxiliary cruisers will be fitted cut.
All treaties with the United States are
annulled; thirty days are given to the
| United States ships to leave Spanish
ports, and the rules Spain will observe
during the war are outlined in five
clauses, covering neutral flags and
goods cOntraband of war, what will be
considered a blockade, the right Of
search and what constitutes contraband
OF war, ending with saying that foreign
privateers will be regarded as pirates
Continuing, the decree adds:
We have striven with the strictest
fidelity to observe the principles of in
ternational law, and have shown the
most scrupulous 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 relieve US from the duty of
respecting the principles therein enun-
ciated. The principle Spain unques-
tionably refused to admit then was the
abolition of privateering The Govern
ment now considers it most indispens-
able to have recourse to privateering
when we consider it expedient. first
/ organizing Immediately a force of
cruisers auxiliary to the navy, which
Will be composed of vessels of
our mercantile marine, and with equal
distinction in the work of our navy
Following is a summary of the more
important of the five clauses outlining
the rules Spain will observe during the
war:
Clause 1.-The state of war existing
between Spain and the United States
annuls the treaty of peace and amity Of
October y, 1895, and the protocol Of
January II, 1877, and all other agree
ments, treaties or conventions in force
between the two countries
Clause Prom 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 Notwithstanding that Spain
has not adhered to the Declaration of
Paris, the Government, respecting the
law of nations, proposes to observe. and
hereby orders to be observed. the fol-
lowing regulations of maritime law:
i. Neutral flags cover the enemy's
merchandise except contraband of war.
:. Neutral merchandise except con-
traband of war, is not seizable under
the enemy's flag.
3. A blockade to be obligatory must
be effective, viz, it must be maintain
ed with sufficient force to prevent ac-
cess to the enemy's littoral
4. The Spanish Government. uphold-
ing its right to grant letters of marqus,
will at present confine itself to organ
izing, with the vessels of the merchant
marine, a force of auxiliary cruisers.
which will cooperate with the navy ac-
cording to the needs of the campaign
and will be under naval control
D. In order to capture the enemy's
ships and confiscate the enemys 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-
tions of which will be published
q. Defines what is included as con-
traband of war naming weapons. am
munition, equipments. engines and IN
general all the appliances used in war
{. To be regarded and judged as pi-
rates 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 if provided
with letters of marque issued by the
United States.