Evening star., 1898-04-26
Informed of the Declaration of
War.
NEUTRALITY Law MADE OPERATIVE
England First to Issue a ProcIama-
ton.
ATTITUDE OF GERMANY

The State Department has conveyed no.
| tice to all the powers and nations with
! which the United States holds friendly re-
| laticns of the declaI alton of war yesterday
| by the government of the United States.
This is necessary formality in order to
set in motion the neutrality laws in many
countries and to estop claims for damages
on the part of neutrals for vessels detained
| and turned back at blockades without due
notice. 1t is to be noted that the Instruc-
| tions which were sent to all the United
States legations abroad directed attention
| to the fact that the war has existed since
| April 81. when the Spanish government
broke off diplomatic relations in order to
avoid accepting the ultimatum at the hands
| of Minister Woodford. The text of the in
structions is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
April %. 1888.
"a joint resolution of Congress, approved
April 20, directed Intervention for the
| pacifica ton and independence of the Island
Of Cuba. The Spanish government on
April II informed our minister at Ma,irid
| that it considered this resolution equivalent
| to declaration of war, and that it had
| accordingly withdrawn its minister from
Washington and terminated ali diplomatic
| relations. Congress has therefore, by An
of war exists between the two countries
Stree and including April 21. You will m
| form the government to which you are ac-
| credited so that its neutrality may be as
sured in the existing war
(Signed) SHERMAN.
Responses have already begun to flow in.
First among all neutrals TO take cognizance
| of the situation and of the existence of a
state of war are the British colonies. 1t
| nay not be Of particular significance. yet 1t
| gees in measure to support the contention
| OF this government that war actually ex-
| listed before the declaration by Congress
yesterday that thu British colonies have in
cases acted and made their proclamations
| of neutrality in advance of action by Con-
| gress. Thus it happens that the British
| government of the Strait Settlements, at
| Singapore, issued its proclamation yester-
day forenoon. The news was contained in
| the following cablegram to the State De-
| partment from United States Consul Pratt,
| at Singapore:
| Secretary of State, Washington, d. c.:
| Neutrality proclaimed here today"
| This dispatch was received at 2:40 yester-
| day afternoon, indicating that the Straits
government had acted before Congress had
| passed its declaration.
| The state department OIilCialS nave tahSH
note of the semi-official statement from
Germany to the effect that that nation will
| not at present ISSUE neutrality proclam ma
| ton. They are not very much concerned,
| however believing that any advantage to
| be gained by Germany in refraining from
| adopting the usual course in this respect
will be rather technical than practical. Ger
| tainly all of the advantages to be reaped
| Tod tatn fynr onfn ay1t
| of the German neutrality law will be
claimed by our government. and 1t is not
| doubted that the laws will be put into op-
Grafton in Germany whether or not proc
| lamation Is issued at this time.
| A good deal more concern was felt over
| the terms of the British neutrality procla-
| nation, issued today in London. Not only
| is the attitude assumed by the British gov
ernment of great importance to US on ac-
| count Of the vast extent of the English pos
| sessions and the large number of British
| ports on this hemisphere, but from the fact
| that we now have two warships. the AL
| bany lately the Abreuall. and the torpedo
boat Somers, lying in English ports. subject
| to permanent detention. The Albany Is
nearing completion at Newcastle. having
been purchased from Brazil while in the
builders hands there. The Somers. lying at
Falmouth, has been unable to secure
crew to cross the Atlantic, on account Of
| the danger of the voyage on so small a
| boat
| The British Proclamation.
| Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British am
bassador today received a cable dispatch
| from the British foreign Office, signed by
| Lord Salisbury. announcing that the
queens proclamation of neutrality in the
| war between Spain and the United States
had been signed and would be issued as
soon as possible. The dispatch states that
the proclamation is similar to those issued
! on former occasions, but in addition it di-
rects special attention to the three rules
of the treaty of Washington Of May 8. 1871.
article 9, which will be observed toward
| both countries.
The three rules to which Lord Salisbury
| directs special attention are Of exceptional
moment just at present, owing to the pres
ence in British ports of several warShips
| intended for the United States navy. The
| three rules are as follows:
"A neutral government is bound
First to use due diligence to prevent
! the fitting out, arming or equipping within
| it's jurisdiction of any vessel which it has
reasonable grounds to believe is intended
| to cruise or to carry on war with power
| with which it is at peace; and also to use
| like diligence to prevent the departure from
| its Jurisdiction of any vessel intended to
| cruise or carry on war as above, such ves-
sci having been specially adapted. in whole
| or in part, within such jurisdiction, to war
| like use.
Secondly. not to permit or to suffer eth
| er beliigerent TO make use OF its ports and
waters as the base of naval operations
against the other, or for the purpose of
renewal or augmentation of military sup
piles or arms the recruitment Of men.
Thirdly, to exercise due diligence In Its
own ports and waters, and, as to all per-
sons within it's jurisdiction. to prevent any
violation Of the foregoing obligations and
duties"
The second rule doubtless accounts for
the enforced departure of the United
States feet at Hong Kong. The first
rule appears to apply directly to several
ships purchased by the United States
ahrna<1 and Y,Oxv hnrryinp IN coyp platioY, IN,