The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-25
RIGHT TO PRNATEER.
Spain Reserves, But Will Not Exc
cute 1t.

Madrid, April "a, p. m.-Ths follow
ing decree was gazetted today:
Diplomatic relations are broken off
between Spain and the United States and
the state OF war being begun between the
two countries, numerous questions of in
cisely defined, chiefly because of the in
justice and proyocation from our adver.
saries, and it is they, who by their de-
testable conduct, have caused this grave
conflict
The Royal decree then says:
Spain maintains her right to have re-
course to privateering and announces that
for. the present only auxiliary cruisers
will be fitted out; all treaties With the
United States are annulled, thirty 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 blockade, the right of search
and what constitutes contraband Of war
ending with saying foreign privateers
will be regarded as pirates Continuing,
the decree rsads:
'sWe have observed with the strictest
fidelity the principles of international law
and have shown. the most scrupulous re-
spect for morality and the right OF gov
ernment. 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. The principle Spain
unquestlonably refused to admit then
was the abolition of privateering. The
government now considers it most indis-
pensible to make absolute reserve on this
point, in order to maintain our liberty
Of action and uncontested right to have
recourse to privateering when we consider
it expedient, first, by organizing immedi-
ateIy force OF cruisers, auxiliary to the
navy, which will be composed Of vessels
of our mercantile marin and with equal
distinction in the work of our navy.
"Clause 1.-The state of war existing
between Spain and the United States an
nuls the treaty of peace and amity of Oc-
tober 27, 1895, and the protocol of January
l2, 1877, and all other agreements, treaties
or conventions in force between the two
countries.
"Clause 2.-From the publication of
these presents, thirty days are granted to
all ships of the United States anchored in
our harbors to take their departure free of
hindrance.
"Clause Notwithstanding that
Spain has not adhered to the declaration
of Paris, the government, respecting the
principles of the law of nations proposes
to observe and hereby orders to be OBJ
served the following regulations OF mari
time laws:
"1.-Neutral flags cover the enemy's
merchandise, except contrabapd of war
"2.-Neutral merchandise, except con-
traband of war is not seizable under the
enemy's fay.
GA blockade to be obligatory must
be effective. viz: 1t must be maintained
with sufficient force to prevent access to
the enemy's littoral.
"4.-1he Spanish government, uphold-
ing it's right TO grant letters of marque,
will at present contfne itself to organic
ing with the vessels of the mercan tile
marine,a "a force of auxiliary cruisers which
will cooperate with the navy, according
to the needs of the campaign, and will be
under naval control.
"5.-In order to capture the enemy's
ships, and confiscate the enemy's mer-
chantise 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 regulations
which will be published.
"6,-Defnes what is included in con-
traband of war, naming weapons, ammu-
milton, equipments, engines and in gen.
erai all the appliances used in war.
"7.-To be regarded and judged as
pirates with all the rigors of law, are
captains, officers and two-thirds of the
crew of vessels which, not being Ameri-
can shall commit acts of war against
Spain, even if provided with letters of
marnne issued by the United States.