The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-04-25
RIGHT on PRTVATEERING
Spain Insists Upon "Absolute Re-
serve on This Point"
WILL GRANT LETTERS OF MARQUB

A Royal Decree Defines what Is Com
traband of war and Gives American
Vessels In Spanish Ports Thirty Days
In Which to Depart.
Madrid, April 25.-Spain adopts pri-
watering in fact, but not in name. The
reservation in the decree issued means
very little, and what the cancellation
of agreements with the United States
means can well be appreciated par
ticularly by Americans remaining be-
hind in Cuba and those who own prop
erty there.
A cabinet council was held yesterday
afternoon, and afterward the following
decree was gazetted:
Diplomatic relations are broken off
between Spain and the United States,
and, the state of war being begun be-
tween the two countries, numerous
questions of International law arise,
which must be precisely defined chiefly
because the injustice and provocatiou
came from our adversaries, and it is
they who, by their detestable conduct,
have caused this grave conflict"
The royal decree then says Spain
maintains her right to have recourse to
privateerng, and announces that for
the present only auxiliary cruisers will
be fitted out. All treaties with the Uni
ted States are annulled, 30 days are
given to 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 contra
band of war, ending with saying for
eign privateers will be regarded as
pirates. Continuing the decree reads:
We have observed with the strictest
fidelity the principles Of international
law and have shown the most scrupu-
lous 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
exempt us from the duty of respecting
the principles therein enunciated. Tho
principle Spain unquestonably refused
to admit then was the abolition of
privateering.
The government now considers IL
most Indispensable to make absolute
reserve on this point, in order to
maintain our liberty of action and
uncontested right TO have recourse to
prlvateering when we consider 1t eX-
pedient.
First, by 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.
Clause /. The state Of war existing
between Spain and the United States
annuls the treaty of peace and amity
of oct. q, 1895, and the protocol Of Jan
12, 1877, and all other agreements
treaties or conventions in force be.
tween the two countries.
Clause 2. From the publication OF
these presents, 80 days is granted to al
ships of the United States anchored il
our harbors to take their departure
free from hindrance.
Clause 3. Notwithstanding that Spair
has not adhered to the declaration ot
Paris, the government, respecting tht
principles of the law of nations, pro
poses to observe, and hereby orders Il
be observed, the following regulation!
Of maritime law:
l. Neutral flags cover the enemy!
merchandise, except contraband OF
war.
2. Neutral merchandise, except con
traband of war, is not seizable under
the enemy's flag.
8. A blockade, to be obligatory, mus
be effective, viz, it must be maintained
with sufficient force to prevent acces!
to the enemy's littoral.
tel,
ing its right to grant letters Of marque
will at present confine itself to organ
izing, with the vessels of the mer
camille marine, a force of auxiliary
cruisers, which will cooperate with tn,
| navy according to the needs Of tn
campaign, and will be under nava
control.
6. In order to capture the enemy
ships and confscate the enemy's mer
chandise and contraband of war unde
whatever form, the auxiliary cruisers
will exercise the right of search on th'
high seas and in the waters under tht
| enemys jurisdiction, in accordanc,
with international law and the regula
tions which will be published.
6. Defines what is included in con
traband of war naming weapons, am
munition, equipments, engines and IL
| general all the appliances used in war
7. To be regarded and judged al
| pirates, with all the rigor of the law
are captains, masters officers and two
| thirds of the crew of vessels which, no
! being American, shall commit acts o
war against Spain, even if provided
| with letters of marque issued by th
| United States.
Urgent orders have been issued 70
| the movement of various Spanish men
of-war, and vigorous action is antici
pated. Many French ship owners AM
not a few private Frenchmen have ap
piled for letters of marque against tn
| United States.
The cabinet council yesterday after
noon discussed the conduct of the wa
and the measures it is proposed to sub
NIT to the cortes. Senior PuigcerveI
minister of finance, will submit his pro
jects tomorrow. Every occasion is be
ing seized throughout the country 70
patriotic demonstrations, and the ma
tional colors are universally worn.
1t is practically certain now tina
Senior Sagasta will remain in offic
until the cortes suspends it's sittings
virtually because there are no states
men who want TO assume the heaV!
responsibility.
An official dispatch from Havanj
says: 1.-The Italian man-of-war Clio
yanni Bausan has entered the por