[Inclosure.]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Second
Department,
St.
Petersburg, April 20 (May 2), 1898.
Mr. Ambassador: I have the honor to inform
you that His Majesty the Emperor, my august master, by an order to
the acting senate, dated April 18, has deigned to command that the
following declaration of neutrality, which the Imperial Government
has resolved to observe in the Spanish-American conflict, be made
generally known:
“The disagreements which have recently arisen between Spain and the
United States of America have induced the Imperial Government to
seek, in concert with the other powers, some means which might
prevent an armed conflict between these two countries.
“Unhappily, our friendly measures are without result, and a state of
war now exists between Spain and the United States.
“It is with keen regret that the Imperial Government witnesses an
armed conflict between two States to which it is united by old
friendship and deep sympathy. It is firmly resolved to observe with
regard to these two belligerents a perfect and impartial
neutrality.
“The Imperial Government has taken note of the declarations of the
Spanish and American Governments relative to their intention to
conform, during the entire duration of the war, to the following
generally recognized principles of international law.
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- “(1) The neutral flag covers the enemy’s goods, except
contraband of war.
- “(2) Neutral goods, except contraband of war, are not liable
to capture under the enemy’s flag.
- “(3) A blockade, to be obligatory, must be effective.
“All subjects of His Majesty the Emperor, as well as all persons
under the protection of the laws of the Empire, are looked to to
fulfill the obligations which a state of neutrality requires. Those
who violate these provisions will be answerable before the law, and
can in no case receive aid or protection from the Imperial
Government or its diplomatic and consular agents abroad.
“The Imperial Government further declares that the ships of war of
the two belligerent powers may only enter Russian ports for
twenty-four hours. In case of stress of weather, absence of goods or
provisions necessary to the maintenance of the crew, or for
indispensable repairs, the prolongation of the above-mentioned time
can only be accorded by special authorization of the Imperial
Government.
“In case of ships of the two belligerents entering a Russian port,
the merchant ship or the ship of war of one of the belligerent
parties may leave the port only twenty-four hours after the ship of
the other party shall have quitted the same port.
“The sale of prizes is absolutely forbidden in Russian ports.”
Please to accept, etc.,
