The times., 1899-07-14
THE COLONIAL SHIPPING
Regulations Giving 1t the PrOtec-
ton Of the Flag.
Certificates to Be Issued by Customs
officials Under Rules Prescribed
the Oath of Allegiance the Chief
Condition-The Vessels Classified.

The President has issued an order
through the War Department to the officers
OF customs in Porto Rico and the Philip
pines relative to the issuance of certificates
of protection. These certificates entisle the
vessels to which they are issued to the pro-
lection Of the flag of the United States on
the high seas and in all ports under the
following conditions:
Flrst-The vessel must be owned by a
citizen of the United States residing in
Porto Rico or the Philippines
Second-Natives of the islands may be
given certificates for their vessels upon
their taking the oath of allegiance.
Third-If resident of the islands named
was a subject of Spain prior to April IL,
1899, and has adjured his allegiance to
the crown of Spain, and has taken the oath
OF allegiance TO the United States, he, too,
shall be entitled TO a certificate of protec-
1ion.
The Presidents order further provides
that the master and the watch officers Of a
vessel TO which a certificate of protection
is issued must also be citizens of the
United States. In lieu of that they must
take the oath OF allegiance. 1t is, however,
discretionary with the general command
ing the forces of the United States in the
islands named as to whether these special
part The form and manner Of the issue
of certificates are. according 10 the Presi-
dents order, TO be prescribed by the Sec
retary of War.
In cases OF accretions OF territory TO the
United States it has been the practice of
Congress TO provide for the registration as
vessels of the United States of vessels
owned on the date of the ratification Of
the treaty by which the territory has been
acquired by subjects. citizens, or residents
of the territory acquired, as in the case
OF the Louisiana purchase, owned by cit
liens of the United States in the territory
AT that time.
Under that practice the following classes
of vessels in the islands of Porto Rico and
the Philippines are declared to be under
the protection and flag of the United States:
Vessels owned on or before April II.
1899, by American citizens; vessels owned
on or before April IL, 1899, by native in
habitants; vessels owned on or before
April H. 1899. by Spanish subjects, natives
Of the peninsula resident in the islands
named; vessels acquired since April II,
1899, by American citizens; vessels ac-
Quired since April II, 1899, by native in
habitants; vessels acquired since April II,
1899. by Spanish subjects, natives of the
peninsula resident in Porto Rico and the
Philippines before that date.
The vessels so certified are classified as
follow
Class A-vessels acquired by purchase
BY American citizens. Satisfactory proof
must be furnished in this case that the ap-
ylicant is a citizen OF the United States
and how he acquired the vessel.
Glass d includes vessels owned by native
Inhabitants of the Island of Porto Rico and
the Philippines before the islands were
added TO the United States. In this case,
as In the other, satisfactory proof must be
given that the applicant is legally entitled
TO a certificate and an oath must be taken
Of allegiance 10 the United States in the
presence of witnesses-native inhabitants
OF the islands. If native inhabitant
owned vessel before April H. ls99 the
applicant will be required TO surrender his
FORMER Spanish register or other marine
document
In the case OF a native inhabitant Who
has purchased a vessel since April H.
1889, the applicant must produce the bill
of sale and proceed as prescribed in the
sale OF vessel to an American citizen.
The customs officer must, however, sat
isfy himself of and certify to the oath Of
allegiance, instead of the citizenship Of the
applicant
Glass refers to vessels such as were
owned by Spanish subjects, natives Jf the
Peninsula. residents Of the islands of Porto
Rico and the Philippines. before April IL,
1888, who may desire within one year from
to the United States, or such as may
Fave been or may be acquired by pur-
chase since that date by such Spanish
Subjects. Satisfactory proof must be pre-
eented TO the officer of customs before is
auing the certificate that the applicant is
ell be claims TO be, and he must take the
Usual oath of allegiance.