The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1898-04-30
NOW DECLARES WAR.
Spain Issues Decree Announcing Ex-
istence of Hostilities.
Gives American Vessels Thirty Days
in which ia Leave Her waters
observes the Right tn EN-
gage In PrivateerlnH.

/
and the United States. 4 royal decree
was gazetted here Sunday announcing
that diplomatic relations between the
two nations had been broken off and a
state of war begun. The decree is as
follows:
diplomatic relations are broken off be-
tween Spain and the United States and
the state of war having begun between the
two countries. numerous questions OF inter-
national law arise which must be pre-
cisely defined chiefly because the injustice
and provocation come from our adver-
saries, and II is they who. by their de-
testable conduct have caused this grave
conflict.
I'VE have observed with strictest fidelity
the principles OF international 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 exempt us from the duty of
respecting the principles therein enunci-
ated The principle Spain unquestionably
refused to- admit then was the abolition OF
privateering. The government now con-
siders 1t most Indispensable to make abso-
lutte reserve on this point in order to main
tain our liberty of action and uncontested
right TO have recourse to privateering
when we consider il eXpedient first by or
ganizing Immediately a force of cruisers
auxiliary TO the navy, which Will be COM
posed Of vessels of our mercantile marine
and with equal distinction in the work of
oljr navy"
Following Is a summary OF the more i'm
portant of the fveN clauses outlining the
rules Spain will observe during the war:
CLAUSE 7. The state OF war existing be-
tween Spain and the United States annuls
the treaty of peace and amlty of october
e. 1885, and the protocol Of January ~.
a oil t1,ag. ..t,rg tr.a Vta-
conventions in force between the two coun-
tries.
CLAUSE 2. From the publication of these
presents 80 days are granted to all ships
Of the United States anchored in our har-
bors to take their departure free of him
drance ..' ~.
Clause 3. Notwithstanding that Spain
has not adhered to the declaration of Paris.
the government, respecting the principles
OF the law Of nations, proposes 10 observe,
and hereby orders to be observed, the fol-
lowing regulations Of maritime law:
Il. Neutral flags cover the enemy's mer-
chandise except contraband of war,
"2. Neutral merchandise, except contra
band of war, Is not seizable under the enc
my's flag
80. A blockade TO be obliga tory must be
effective-viz.: II must be maintained with
sufficient force to prevent access TO the
enemy's littoral
-. The Spanish government, UNFOLDING
its right TO grant letters of marque, will
a present confine itself to organizing, with
the vessels of the mercantile marine, a
force OF auxiliary cruisers which will CO.
operate with the navy according to the
needs Of the campaign and will be under
naval control.
20. In order to capture the enemys ships
and conhscate the enemy's merchandise
and contraband of war, under whatever
form, the auxiliary cruisers will exercise
Z he oh az on ba oh nd in
the waters under the enemy's Jurisdiction.
in accordance with international law and
the regulations which will be published.
&c. Defines what is included in contra
band OF war. naming weapons, ammuni-
ton, equipments, engines, and, in general,
all the appliances used In war ~.
~. To be regarded and judged as pirates
with all the rigor of the law are captains,
masters, officers and two-thirds of the
crews OF vessels which, not being Ameri-
can, shall commit acts of war against
Spain, even If provided with letters Of
marque issued by the United States"
May he Forced TO ketaliate.
Madrid, April 25.-Spain's adherence
to the right of privateerng, if eXpedi-
ent. has given great satisfaction in
Spain, where the public press markedly
approves the attitude of the govern
ment. Fears are expressed on the con-
tinent that the United States will find
II necessary to retaliate, despite the
adhesion of the government to the dec
laration of Paris. In any case SPANS
attitude will enhance the Importance of
the negotiations of the powers, which,
ii is understood, have been initiated
by Italy, with a view to making ar
rangements to protect heutrals on the
seas. It is reported from Vienna that
England holds aloof from the negotia-
tons, though this Is discredited
The Kolniche Zeitung remarks, how
ever, that "as neither Spain nor the
United States occupies anything like
position of supremacy on the seas, neu-
trail governments will easily be able TO
insist on the adherence of both to the
declaration of Paris" and Cooking to
the Importance of American markets
for German industry and commerce"
it expresses doubts whether the pro-
visions of the existing law of nations
are adequate to meet the necessities of
the case"
This journal thinks it possible that
the war will result in fresh extension
OF the principles applicable TO the mat
ter" In fact, it looks as though trade
interests will compel veering Of Ger
man feeling in the dispute toward the
United States. A tendency in this d.
rection is also noticed in France and
Italy. A general rise in the price of
wheat has occurred already throughout
Europe.
Germany VIII Remain Neutral.
London, April 25.-The Berlin corre-
spondent of the Standard says Germany
will take no steps prejudicial to the
United States, nor probably join in any
intervention on SPANS behalf. 1t is
evident, therefore. that the meeting
Saturday at Dresden between Emperor
William and Emperor Francis Joseph
signally failed to bring Germany into
line with Austria.