25582-1912-Rules-to-be-observed-during-the-continuance-of-the-war-between-Turkey-and-Bulgaria-Turkey-and-Greece-Turkey-and-Montenegro-and-Turkey-and-Servia — Page 1

558 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, NOVEMBER 22, 1912.

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

No. 341.

CIRCULAR.

DOWNING STREET,

25th October, 1912.

SIR,-I have the honour to transmit copies of His Majesty's Proclamation of Neutrality on the occasion of the war between Turkey and Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece, Turkey and Montenegro, and Turkey and Servia, together with a copy of a letter from the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs embodying Rules which His Majesty has directell to be observed during the continuance of the present state of war, and I have to request that you will cause both documents to be immediately published throughout the Colony under your government and that you will not fail to conform to His Majesty's commands.

I have, etc.,

L. HARCOURT.

The Officer Administering the Government of

HONGKONG.

GEORGE R.I.

MONDAY, 21 OCTOBER, 1912.

By the KING.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas We are happily at peace with all Sovereigns, Powers, and States :

And whereas a State of War unhappily exists between His Imperial Majesty The Sultan of Turkey and His Majesty The King of the Bulgarians; between His Imperial Majesty The Sultan of Turkey and His Majesty The King of the Hellenes; between His Imperial Majesty The Sultan of Turkey and His Majesty The King of Montenegro; and between His Imperial Majesty The Sultan of Turkey and His Majesty the King of Servia; and between their respective Subjects, and others inhabiting within their Countries, Territories, or Dominions :

And whereas We are on Terms of Friendship and amicable intercourse with each of these Powers, and with their several Subjects, and others inhabiting within their Countries, Territories, or Dominions :

And whereas great Numbers of Our Loyal Subjects reside and carry on Commerce, and possess Property and Establishments, and enjoy various Rights and Privileges, within the Dominions of each of the aforesaid Powers, protected by the Faith of Treaties between Us and each of the aforesaid Powers:

And whereas We, being desirous of preserving to Our Subjects the Blessings of Peace, which they now happily enjoy, are firmly purposed and determined to maintain a strict and impartial Neutrality in the said State of War unhappily existing between the aforesaid Powers:

We, therefore, have thought fit, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council, to issue this Our Royal Proclamation :

And We do hereby strictly charge and command all Our loving Subjects to govern themselves accordingly, and to observe a strict neutrality in and during the aforesaid War, and to abstain from violating or contravening either the Laws and Statutes of the Realm in this behalf, or the Law of Nations in relation thereto, as they will answer to the contrary at their peril :

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