Consulate-General of the United States,
Shanghai, May 22,
1898.
No. 79.]
[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.
