The times., 1898-04-27
Changes in The War Board.

There have been several changes in the
naval war board that are attracting
much attention from the people that
have been watching the diIigent labOrs
of this very necessary adjunct 10 the
navy on its war footing for the last two
months Secretary Roosevelt, who has
been the president of the board, has re-
signed from this position owing to his
coming retirement from Ine Assistant
Secretaryship. He remains on the board.
however. for the present. Rear-Admiral
Walker has retired from the board. He
is to be succeeded by Capt. Mahan, the
weli-known writer on naval subjects, who
is also a strategist Of ability and expert
ence.
President Mckinley yesterday issued
the following proclamation defining the
policy Of the United States with regard
To the neutrality laws and the conduct Of
the war:
Whereas by an act OF Congress, ap-
proved April p, 1898. il is declared that
war exists. and that war has existed
since the 2lst day of April. A. d. 1898
including said day. between the United
/ States of America and the Kingdom of
! Spain: and
Whereas it being desirable that such
war should be conducted upon princl-
! pies in harmony with the present views
Of nations and sanctioned by their re-
cent practice, ii has already been an
nounced that the policy of this Govern
ment will be not TO resort to privateer-
/ ing. but TO adhere TO the rules of the
/ Declaration of Paris;
Now, therefore, /, William Mckinley,
! President of the United States of Amer
ica, by virtue of the power vested in me
/ by the Constitution and the laws, do
! hereby declare and proclaim:
/ l. The neutral flag covers enemy goods,
with the exception of contraband of war.
. Neutral goods not contraband of war,
are not liable 10 confiscation under the
! enemys flag.
/ g. Blockades in order to be binding must
4 be effective.
/. Spanish merchant vessels, in any
1 ports or places within the United States,
shall be allowed till May 81 1898 inclu-
! sive. for loading their cargoes and de-
parting from such ports or places; and
such Spanish merchant vessels. if met
4 at sea by any United States ship, shall
/ be permitted To continue their voyage,
J If. on examination of their papers, it
shall appear that their cargoes were TAX
en- on board before the expiration of the
| above term.
! Provided. that nothing herein contained
/ shall apply 10 Spanish vessels having on
/ board any officer in the military or naval
service Of the enemy, or any coal Except
| such as may be necessary for their voy-
I agel. or any other article prohibited OF
/ coutraband OF war, or any dispatch OF
or 20 the Spanish government
;. Any Spanish merchant vessel which
! prior 10 April D. 1895, shall have SAILED
from any foreign port bound for any por
/ or place in the United States, shall b,
| permitted TO enter such port or place
| and to discharge her cargo, and after
ward forthwith to depart without moles
| tation; and any such vessel, if met at SCI
| by any United States ship, shall be per
| mitted to continue her voyage to any
port not blockaded.
G. The right of search is to be exercised
! with strict regard for the rights of neu
] trails, and the voyages Of mail steamers
| are not TO be int-~.ered with except on
| the cIearest grounds of suspicion of a vic.
lation of law in respect of contraband OF
| blockade.
In witness whereof ] have hereuntC
set my hand and caused the seal of the
United States TO be affixed.
Done at the City Of Washington, on
the twenty-siXth day Of April. I'm the year
| Of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
/ and ninety-eight, and of the independence
Of the United States the one hundred and
twenty-second.
| tSeaLl WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
BY the President.
JOHN SHERMAN
Secretary Of State.