633028-1898-Circular-Despatch--Rules-to-be-observed-during-Spanish-American-War — Page 1

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11TH JUNE, 1898.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 262.

577

With reference to Government Notification No. 239 of the 28th May last, the following Circular Despatch, with its enclosure, is published for general information.

By Command.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 10th June, 1898.

T. SERCOMBE SMITH,

Acting Colonial Secretary.

CIRCULAR.

DOWNING STREET,

9th May, 1898.

SIR,-I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government and for publication in the Colony, an extract from the London Gazette containing a note from the United States Ambassador as this Court announcing the rules which his Government intend to observe during hostilities between the United States and Spain, together with a translation of a Royal Decree issued by the Spanish Government as to the principles which that Government will observe during the War, and a translation of the Instructions drawn up by the Spanish Minister of Marine for exercising the right of visit in accordance with Article 5 of the Royal Decree.

The Officer Administering the Government of

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

J. CHAMBERLAIN,

HONGKONG.

EXTRACT FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE" OF TUESDAY, MAY 3, 1898.

Foreign Office, May 3, 1898. THE Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has received the Ambassador at this Court :-

following Note from the American

American Embassy,

London, April 23, 1898.

MY LORD,

I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Lordship that I have been informed of the intention of the Government of the United States, in the event of hostilities between that Government and Spain. not to resort to privateering, but to adhere to the following recognized rules of International Law`":

First, the neutral flag covers enemy's goods, with the exception of contraband of war ; Second, neutral goods, with the exception of contraband of war, are not liable to capture under the enemy's flag ; and

Third. blockades, in order to be binding, must be effective.

The Most Honourable

The Marquess of Salisbury,

&c.,

&c.

Foreign Office, May 3, 1898.

I have, &c.,

JOHN HAY.

THE Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has received, through Her Majesty's Embassy at Madrid, the following Translation of a Decree issued by the Spanish Government on the 23rd of April,

1898-

Royal Decree.

In accordance with the advice of my Council of Ministers; in the name of my son, King Alfonso XIII, and as Queen-Regent of the Kingdom,