The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-23
BIockading of Cuba and Passing the
Volunteer Bill.
THERE WILL Be NO PRIVATEERING
The United States Will Not Indulge in
IL Herself, and the Powers Will Not
Permit Spain 10 do so--List of
Articles Which are Regard
eel as Contraband
Of War.

WASHINGTON, d. c., April 22-There
were two further important steps in
| Washington taken to-day toward actual
hostlites, not to mention the over
ack involved in the seizure Of the Spanish
| bark Buena Ventura off Key West.
The first was the issue by the President
of his proclamation announcing TO the
/ world q blockade of a number Of cuban
ports. and the second was the signing by
I him OF the bill providing for the utiliza.
tion Of the volunteer forces in war. Then.
] in addition. there was notable retire.
ment i'm the Navy Department in the
/ case Of Captain Royal b. Bradford. Chief
I OF the Equipment Division. Captain Brad
/ ford asked 10 be given command of an
active warship. The resignation will be
accepted. and, by virtue Of his rank, as
well as 20 mark the high regard enter
I tained for him by the administration.
Captain Bradford will be given one Of the
! best available ships in the navy.
AS TO PRIVATEERING.
Following up the fOrmalities beginning
! with the blockade proclamation. the State
| Department this evening addressed an
of foreign nations accredited TO Washing
ton. notifying them of the policy TO be
pursued by this Government in the mat
ter of privateerng and neutrality. This
was followed by the sending of cable
messages 10 all American ambassadors
and legations abroad, containing the
same Information in litle more sue
cinct form for presentation D. the govern
ments 70 which they are accredited. This
statement was precisely similar in terms
10 that telegraphed by the Associated
Press last Wednesday, and its formal
adoption by the Government as the line
of policy to be pursued was not prevented
bv the criticism passed upon 1t III the
Senate yesterday by Mr.. Money OF Mis-
sissippi.
will NOT resort 10 privateering. That enc
mv's goods in neutral bottoms. save con-
troband are exempt from seizure; that
neutral goods not cOntraband, under enc
mv's flag are safe from seizure and that
blockade TO be binding must be effective.
THE PARIS AGREEMENT
In substance these are the principles
laid down i'm the agreement or Paris OF
1855. The officials are not disturbed at the
semi-oficial notice from Madrid that
Snain viii refuse TO be bound by the same
principles and forbid priyateering Ior
they are satisfied that the great CONNER
cial powers will not tolerate the practice
OF privateerlng under the Spanish nag
Inasmuch as there exists great
| amount of misapprehension not ooly
among foreign countries, but also among
American shippers as TO the character OF
merchandise that is contraband ana Ia
bic 10 seizure during the progress OF war
the following unofficial but authentic
/ statement has been obtained from hish
| official OF the government:
WHAT is CONTRABAND.
"Contraband of war: In determining
| according TO the law of nations whether
| merchandise is contraband OF war II Is
classified /. Absolute con1raDahd. :.
| Occasional or conditional contraband.
| Goods not contra aband.
The first class includes all goods OF an
essentially warlike character
T, The second class Includes provisions.
1 naval stores. coal. horses, certain kinds
OF machinery, certain forms OF steel,