The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1899-07-12
FLAGS ON CUBAN VESSELS.
American CoIors with Distinctive
signal in shipping May
Re Ened.


The president has issued the follow
ing orders in regard to the use Of the
United States flag by Cuban shipown-
ers:
"OAicers of the customs in the island
Of Cuba may authorize the clearance,
under a permit, for foreign ports in
the United States Of vessels owned prior
TO and owned at the time of clearance
by citizens of Cuba. January /, 1899, by
residents of Cuba, under distinctive sig
nal and coasting permit of Cuba. Such
vessels may fly the American flag above
the distinctive signal, solely for the
purpose of Indicating that the govern
ment of the United States, pursuant to
treaty, has assumed and will discharge
the obligations that may, under inter
national law, result from the fact of the
occupation of Cuba for the protection
of life and property.
''In granting such a clearance under
a permit, officers of the customs will
advise masters of owners that the
clearance under permit and the use of
the flag of the United States hereby
authorized do not confer upon such
vessel any rights or privileges which
are conferred upon vessels of the United
States by the statutes or treaties of the
United States.
~The rights and privileges of such
vessel as to entry, clearance, dues,
charges, etc, in foreign ports and in
ports of the United States, viii be de-
termined by laws of the country in
which the port may be situated.
''Such vessel, upon entry into port
of the United States, will be subject to
the provisions of sections 2497, 42l9 and
1925 of the Revised Statutes, and such
other laws as may be applicable.
''The form and manner of the issue
permits provided for in this paragraph
shall be prescribed by the secretary of
war.
Tariff circular No. II, dated Wash
ington, May %, 1899, is hereby re-
scinded"
The circular repealed is the tenn
porary order giving Cuban vessels the
right TO trade with foreign ports, the
same privileges being carried in the
present order.
Acting secretary MeIkleJOnn mas Is
sued the regulations necessary to put
the order into effect. They provide as
follows: That clearance permits must
be signed by the commanding general
and collector of customs in Cuba, and
issued only for purposes of legitimate
trade. under bond of ten dollars per
gross ton, to prevent abuse of the flag
privileges and secure compliance with
the rules Arms and ammunition may
be carried only under special permit.
No statute or treaty rights conferred
upon vessels bearing the United States
flag are conferred upon these Cuban
vessels, whose rights in ports of the
United States and of foreign countries
will be determined by the local laws.
Extra tonnage dues, one dollar per ton,
will be incurred in the United States.
The permits are to be deposited in for
eign ports with the United States con-
sui there, as in the case of American
ships, and upon returning to Cuba they
shall be surrendered to the collector
and, if conditions have been net, they
shall be cancelled Otherwise the ship
shall be detained. Penalties not ex-
ceeding ten dollars per gross ton may
be imposed for misuse of the flag. and
forfeiture also may demonstrating
ton Star.