Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-27
OUR WAR POLICY SET FORTH
PRESIDENT MKINLEY OUTLINES IT
IN A PROCLAMATION.
Rules of Declaration of Paris to he
Adhered TO-Spanish Merchant
Vessels Sailing From Amer
lean Ports Prior to
May II Exempt
From Seizure.

holds friendly relations of the declaration
! OF war yesterday by the government of the
United States. This is necessary formal
| ity in order to set in motion the neutrality
laws in many countries and stop claims for
| damages on the part of neutral vessels de-
| tained in Cuba by blockades without notice.
| United States legations abroad directed at
| tention to the fact that the war has eX-
listed since April q. when the Spanish gov
ernment broke off diplomatic relations in
order to avoid accepting the ultimatum at
the hands of Minister Woodford. The text
Of the instructions is as follows:
Department of State, April %, 1898.
"a joint resolution of congress, approved
April 20, directed Intervention for the pa
cification and independence of the island of
Cuba. The Spanish government on April
q informed our minister at Madrid that
it considered the resolution equivalent to
a declaration of war, and that it had ac-
cordingly withdrawn it's minister from
Washington and terminated all diplomatic
act approved to-day, declared that a state
of war exists between the countries since
and including April 81. You will inform the
government to which you are accredited
so that its neutrality may be assured in
the existing war. SHERMAN
Responses have already begun to flow in.
First among all neutrals to take cognizance
e;+, or Of .,
state of war are the British colonies. 1t
may not be of particular significance, yet
it goes in a measure to support the con-
tention of this government that war act
ually existed before the declaration by con-
gress yesterday that the British colonies
in several cases have acted and made
their proclamations of neutrality in adj
vance of action by congress. Thus 1t hap
pens that the British government of the
Straits Settlement at Singapore issued their
proclamation yesterday forenoon. The
news was contained in the following cable
gram to the state department from United
States Consul Pratt. at Singapore:
Secretary of State, Washington, d. c.
Neutrality proclaimed here to-day"
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 officials have taken
note of the semi-off1cial statement from
Germany to the effect that that nation will
not at present issue a neutrality procla-
nation. They are not 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.
Certainly all of the advantages to be
reaped by the United States from the en-
forcement of the German neutrality law
would be claimed by our government, and it
is not doubted the laws will be put in op-
Grafton In Germany whether or not a proc
lamation is issued at this time.
The president to-day issued the following
proclamation respecting the rights Of Span
ish vessels in or bound to United States
ports, and also with regard to the right Of
search:
Whereas, By an act of congress. ap-
proved April %. 1898, it is declared
that war exists and that war has
existed since the 21st day of April. A. D.
1898, including said day, between the United
States of America and the kingdom of
Spain and
"Whereas. 1t being desirable that such
war should be conducted upon principles in
harmony with the views of nations and
sanctioned by their recent practice, it has
already been announced that the policy of
this government will be not to resort to
privateering, but to adhere to the rules of
the declaration of Paris.
Now. Therefore. 7. William Mckinley.
president of the United States of Amer
lea, by virtue of the power vested in me by
the constitution and the laws. do hereby
declare and proclaim:
"First-The neutral flag covers enemy's
goods. with the exception of contraband of
war.
"Second-Neutral goods not contraband of
the enemy's flag.
"Third-Blockades in order to be binding
must be effective.
"Fourth-Spanish merchant vessels in any
ports or places within the United States
shall be allowed until May q. 1898. inclusive
for loading their cargoes and departing
from such ports or places: and such Span
ish merchant vessels. If met at sea by any
United States ship, shall be permitted to
continue their voyage If on examination of
their papers it shall appear that their car
goes were taken on board before the ex-
piration of the above time. provided that
nothing herein contained shall apply to
Spanish vessels having on board any officer
in the military or naval service Of the enc
my. or any coal. except such as may be
necessary for their voyage, or any article
prohibited or contraband of war, or any dis
patch of or to the Spanish government.
'Fifth-Any Spanish vessel which. prior
to April q. 1885, shall have sailed from
any foreign port bound for any port or
place in the United States, shall be per-
mitted to enter such port or place and to
discharge her cargo and afterwards. forth
with, to depart without molestation, and
any such vessel If met at sea by any ship