File No. 765.67/131a.

The Acting Secretary of State to the American Chargé d’Affaires at Rome.

Sir: I inclose herewith fourteen copies of the proclamation of neutrality in the present war between Italy and the Ottoman Empire, issued by the President on the 24th instant.

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It is desired that you send one copy to each of the American consular officers in Italy.

I am, etc.,

Alvey A. Adee.
[Inclosure.]

By the President of the United States of America.

a proclamation.

Whereas a state of war unhappily exists between the Kingdom of Italy on the one side and the Ottoman Empire on the other side; and

Whereas the United States are on terms of friendship and amity with both the contending powers and with the people inhabiting their several dominions; and

Whereas in the state of war thus unhappily existing the United States, looking to both parties for the appropriate reciprocal treatment toward the United States and toward all persons owing allegiance to them, are resolved to maintain and enforce in accordance with the rules and principles governing the rights and duties of neutrals in international warfare a strict and impartial neutrality between the aforesaid contending powers, as well as between themselves and the subjects of each, whether resident within the jurisdiction of the United States or elsewhere,

Now, therefore, I, William Howard Taft, President of the United States, do, in order that strict and impartial neutrality may be observed in the premises, enjoin all persons owing allegiance to the United States, as well as all other persons within the jurisdiction of the United States, to obey in letter and spirit the laws, rules, and principles governing the conduct of neutrals in time of international conflict as such laws, rules, and principles are prescribed by the statutes of the United States, by the treaties and international conventions which have been signed, ratified, and proclaimed by the Government of the United States and by the recognized customs of nations;

And I do hereby give notice and warning that all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States who may misconduct themselves in the premises will do so at their peril and will be subject to the strict and impartial enforcement of the penalties imposed by the laws, rules, and principles involved; and that all persons owing allegiance to the United States and so misconducting themselves outside the jurisdiction of the United States can in nowise obtain any protection from the Government of the United States against the appropriate legal consequences of their misconduct.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.


Wm. H. Taft.

By the President:
P. C. Knox,
Secretary of State.