The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-12
We MUST Be NEUTRAL
President Issues His Promised
Proclamation.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. H.
President Roosevelt today issued
proclamation declaring the neutrality
of this government in the Russo-Jap-
eanese war. He says:
Whereas, A state Of war unhappiIy ex-
lists between Japan on the one side and
Russia on the other side; and
Whereas, The United States is on terms
Of friendship and amity with both the con-
tending powers and with the persons in
hablt1ng their several dominions; and
Whereas, The laws of the United States
without interfering with the free express
sion of opinion and sympathy or with the
open manufacture of sale of arms or mu-
nt1ons of war, nevertheless impose upon
az persons who may be within their ter
rltory and Jurisdiction, the duty of an i'm
partial neutrality, during the contest, it
Is the duty of neutral government not to
submit or permit the making of its wa
tiers subservient to the purposes of war;
Inere, Now, /, Theodore Roosevelt
president of the United States of America
in order to preserve the neutrality of the
united States and of their citizens and Of
persons within their territory and juris-
diction and to enforce their laws, and in
order that all persons, being warned of the
general tenor Of the laws and treaties of
The United States In this behalf and of the
law OF nations, may thus be prevented
from an unintentional violation of the
same, do hereby proclaim and declare that
by the act passed on the 10th day of April
neutrality law the following acts are
forbidden to be done, under severe pen
alt1es, within the territory and jurisdic-
ton of the United States.
Here follows an Injunction against en-
listment or service in the army of either
belligerent, fitting out expeditions, etc.
The proclamation proceeds:
From and after the 18th day of Feb
ruary and during the continuance of the
present hostilitieS between Japan and
Russia, no ship OF war or privateer of
nff Irllf I,.n11 ia
make use Of any port, harbor, roadsted
or waters subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States from (which vessel of
the other belligerent whether the same
shall be ship of war, a privateer or a
merchant ship) shall have previously de-
parted until after the expiration of at
least tWenty-four hours from the de-
parture of such last mentioned beyond the
jurisdiction Of the United States. If any
ship of war or privateer Of either belliger-
ent SHALL after the time of this notifca-
roadstead or waters Of the United States
such vessel shall be required to depart
and to put to sea within twenty -four
hours after her entrance into such port,
or of her requiring provisions or things
necessary for subsistence of her crew or
for repairs.
And 1 proclaim and declare that by the
first article of the convention as to
rights of neutrals at sea, which was con-
cluded between the United States Of
America and his majesty, the emperor Of
all the Russias on the 22d day of July,
1854 the following principles were rec
ognized as permanent and immutable:
1. That free ships make free goods;
that is to say, that the effects of ships
belonging to such power or state at war
are free from seizure or occupation when
found on board of neutral vessels, with
the exception of articles Of contraband Of
war.
2. That the property Of neutrals on
board an enemy's vessel is not subject to
confiscation unless the same be contra
band of war.
that the statutes of the United States
and the law of nations alike require that
no person within the territory and jurisdic-
ton of the United States shall take part,
directly or indirectly, in the said war, but
shall remain at peace with each Of the
said belligerent and shall maintain q
strict and impartial neutrality, and that
whatever privileges shall be accorded to
one belligerent within the ports of the
United States shall be in like manner ac-
corded to the other.
And do hereby enjoin all the good cit
liens Of the United States and all per-
sons residing or being within the terri
tory or jurisdiction of the United States
to observe the laws thereof and to COM
nit no act contrary to the provisions Of
such statutes or in violation Of the law
of nations on that behalf
All citizens of the United States and
others who may claim the protection of
this government, who may misconduct
themselves In the premises will do so at
their peril, and they can in nowise ex-
pect any protection from the government
Of the United States against the conse-
0uenceS of their acts