Mr. Smith to Mr. Moore.

No. 11.]

Sir: I beg to inclose herewith Publication Sheet No. 9, dated June 4, 1898, which has been published by the government of this colony, referring to transshipment of war materials in transit, and also Publication Sheets Nos. 11 and 12, both dated June 17, containing the rules of neutrality to be observed in the war between the United States and Spain.

I am, etc.

L. B. Smith,
United States Consul.

1898.

No. 9.

publication sheet.

Ordinance supplementing article 20 of the ordinance of July 28–December 20, 1881 “containing an amendment of the regulations in force concerning the importation, transit, and exportation of merchandise in the island of Curaçao, and the proof of the collection of the fire and light-house dues there.” (Publication Sheet No. 22.)

In the Queen’s name: The governor of Curaçao, considering that it is necessary to supplement article 20 of the ordinance of July 28–December 20, 1881, “containing an amendment of the regulations in force concerning the importation, transit, and exportation of merchandise in the island of Curaçao, and the proof of the collection of the lire and light-house dues there” (Publication Sheet No. 22), has, with the approbation of the colonial council, and by virtue of the second section of article 50 of the governmental regulations of this colony, decreed the following ordinance:

Article 1. The following is added to article 20 of the ordinance of July 28–December 20, 1881 (Publication Sheet No. 22), as a sixth paragraph:

“The transshipment of gunpowder, ammunition, firearms, side arms, or other war materials may be prohibited from time to time by decree of the governor.”

Art. 2. This ordinance goes into effect on the day of its promulgation.

Barge.

Promulgated June 4, 1898.

Hellmund, Secretary.

1898.

No. 11.

publication sheet.—publication.

The governor of Curaçao, in view of the report of his excellency, the minister of the colonies, of May 24 of this year, hereby notifies all whom it may concern that, for the maintenance and exercise of a complete neutrality during the war which has arisen between powers in friendship with us, Spain on the one side and the United States of America on the other, the following regulations are decreed:

  • Article 1. It is forbidden to furnish the war vessels or privateers of the belligerents with arms or ammunition, or to assist them in any manner in increasing their crews, arms, or armament, and, generally, to perform intentionally any act by which the neutrality of the State may be endangered.
  • Art. 2. Are likewise prohibited:
    (a)
    The fitting out in the colony of vessels of war or other vessels intended for military purposes, for the use of the belligerents, or to furnish or sell such vessels to the said parties.
    (b)
    The exportation of arms, ammunition, or other war materials to the belligerents. This includes the exportation of everything that is adapted to immediate use in war, but not unmanufactured materials, provided they are not generally used for military purposes.
    (c)
    The enlistment of soldiers or seamen for the belligerents within the territory of the colony.
    (d)
    The organization in a military manner, in the territory of the colony, of volunteers, with the intent to proceed thence to the camp of either of the belligerents.

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The governor further calls attention to articles 54 and 55 of the criminal code, and warns all the inhabitants of the colony not to engage in any manner in privateering and not to take out any foreign letters of marque, as those who engage in privateering in such manner, or lend their aid thereto, will be prosecuted before the courts.

The governor likewise calls the attention of the masters, owners, and freighters of vessels to the danger and losses to which they will expose themselves by failing, in violation of the duties imposed upon neutral powers, to respect an effective blockade or by carrying contraband of war or military dispatches for either of the belligerents.

Those rendering themselves guilty of such acts will be liable to all the consequences arising therefrom, and can not count upon any protection whatever through the intervention of Her Majesty’s Government.

Barge, Governor.

1898.

No. 12.

publication sheet.—publication.

The governor of Curaçao, in view of the report of May 24 of this year of the minister of the colonies, notifies all whom it may concern that, for the observance and exercise of a complete neutrality during the war which has arisen between powers in friendship with us, Spain on the one side and the United States of America on the other, the following regulations are decreed:

  • Article 1. Ships and vessels of war of the belligerents will be admitted to the harbors and roadsteads of the colony for a stay of twenty-four hours at most, unless it is shown to be necessary to grant them a longer stay to enable them to provide themselves with provisions or coal, or in cases of distress or dangers of the sea. In such cases, however, they must depart as soon as they have finished taking in provisions or coal, within the first twenty-four hours, if possible; otherwise, as quickly as practicable, as soon as the danger is past, and in the case of repairs, within twenty-four hours, at the furthest, after the repairs have been finished. The period of twenty-four hours at the utmost fixed for the stay in port shall be exceeded only when necessary to the execution of the provisions of article 5 of this publication. Such quantity of provisions may be taken on board as is sufficient for the subsistence of the crew, but the supply of coal must not be more than sufficient to enable the ship or vessel to reach the nearest port of the country to which it belongs, or that of one of its allies in the war. The same vessel shall not be supplied a second time with coal until at least three months have elapsed since the former supply, unless special permission be granted to that effect.
  • Art. 2 Privateers shall not be admitted to the ports or roadsteads of the colony, except in the cases of accidents at sea, dangers of the sea, or want of provisions. They must depart immediately, as soon as the reasons for their admission have ceased to exist. They will not be allowed to take on board more provisions than are required to enable them to reach the nearest port of the country to which they belong, or that of one of its allies in the war, nor more coal than is needed for their consumption for twenty-four hours at a maximum speed of 10 English miles per hour. They shall not be supplied with coal again within three months.
  • Art. 3. The vessels of war or privateers of the belligerents are not permitted to enter the ports or roadsteads of the colony with prizes, except in the case of accidents of the sea or want of provisions. As soon as the reasons for their admission have ceased to exist, they must depart immediately. They will not be permitted to take on board more provisions than they require in order to reach the nearest port of the country to which they belong, or that of one of its allies in the war. They shall not be supplied with coal so long as they are in possession of prizes. If vessels of war chased by the enemy take refuge in the territory of the colony, their prizes must be released.
  • Art. 4. The sale, exchange, or giving away of prizes or of articles taken therefrom, as also of captured goods, is prohibited in the ports, the roadsteads, and the territorial waters of the colony.
  • Art. 5. Ships and vessels of war, admitted in accordance with articles 1, 2, and 3, must not remain in the ports or roadsteads of the colony longer than therein provided. If, however, ships or vessels of war or others belonging to the belligerents should happen to be in the same port or roadstead of the colony, an interval of at least twenty-four hours must elapse between the departure of a ship or ships or of a vessel or vessels of one of the belligerents and the subsequent departure of a ship [Page 862] or ships or of a vessel or vessels of the other. This interval may be lengthened according to circumstances.
  • Art. 6. The crews of ships or vessels of the belligerents must not come ashore armed—officers and under officers are excepted herefrom, as relates to the sword or hanger forming part of their uniform—and the boats must likewise not go about armed. If it should be desired, on the occasion of funeral ceremonies on shore, to be released from this prohibition, permission to that effect must be obtained from the governor.

Barge, Governor.