Mr. Goodnow to Mr. Day.

No. 79.]

Sir: I have the honor to hand you herewith the “Proclamation for the observance of international law” issued by the taoti of Shanghai, and a translation thereof. I have forwarded the proclamation to Minister Denby and have given a translation to Capt. O. W. Farenholt, commanding the Monocacy in this port, together with my comments on it.

I have, etc.,

John Goodnow,
Consul-General.
[Enclosure.—Translation.]

proclamation for observance of international law.

Tsai, taotai of Shanghai, in obedience to the imperial command, issues this proclamation:

We Chinese have during the past years been at peace with the United States and Spain. Just now these two nations are at war. We Chinese must observe the laws of strict neutrality, and must not furnish supplies of war to the two nations, nor interfere with present peaceful relations with either. We must not disobey international law. We ought to be more than careful to preserve friendship with citizens of both countries dwelling in this country; and our citizens residing in countries under jurisdiction of United States and Spain, doing business and having protection of said Governments, also must be careful not to violate international law; and until these two countries are restored to the blessings of peace you at home and abroad must avoid any concern with the warfare between them, lest you bring evil upon yourself.

I, the taotai of this port, in obedience to the Tsung-li Yamên, who have petitioned the Throne and have sent a telegram ordering me to issue a proclamation informing the people, respectfully obey this command and issue this proclamation for the information of the people residing in our country’s seas, roads, harbors, thoroughfares, waterways, ports, and branch creeks under the control of the Chinese Government that, as the United States and Spain are now at war, they (the people) ought to obey the following regulations:

(1)
The war ships of the two nations must not use Chinese-controlled waters and ports for anchorage or fighting purposes, or anchor there for lading war supplies. If the merchant or war ship of one belligerent leave a Chinese port, a ship of the other must not be permitted to leave within twenty-four hours afterwards.
(2)
After issuance of this proclamation, should any war ship of either belligerent come into a Chinese port, except on account of heavy winds or storms or to obtain food for crew, or for repairs, it must not remain over twenty-four hours, and the officials in charge of the port or waterway must, at the end of twenty-four hours, compel said boat to leave, and must not permit the loading of more provisions than are actually needed by the crew. In case of repairs, the ship must leave within twenty-four hours after repairs are completed. No delay must be permitted. War or merchant ships, of whichever nation, in a Chinese port, must be separated in leaving by twenty-four hours’ time, and must not leave before or remain longer than said time.
(3)
Hereafter the ships of the two nations in ports or waterways of China must not take on a large amount of provisions or supplies. In provisions the amount must be regulated by the needs of the number of men aboard; in coal, only sufficient must be allowed to take it to its nearest port, and it must not return for coaling more than once in three months.
(4)
War ships of either party must not bring goods taken in battle into Chinese ports. Our people must not use their own boats secretly to furnish food or war supplies to the belligerents. Chinese in places governed by foreigners also must not secretly assist them in war. After issue of this proclamation, if you dare to disobey this command and not observe the duties of neutrals, or presume to disobey laws of nations and enter or cross their lines of blockade by sending men, dispatches, weapons, or any other contraband material for making supplies, you will find that you have put your head in the net of the law. Not only will I not protect you, but will most surely punish without mercy. Let all carefully observe and not disobey.