Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898

Mr. Porter to Mr. Day.

Embassy of the United States,
Paris, April 27, 1898.

No. 225.]

Sir: I inclose herewith a copy and a translation of the declaration of neutrality of the French Government, which appeared in the Journal Officiel of this morning.

I have, etc.,

Horace Porter.

[inclosure.—Translation.—Journal Officiel, April 27, 1898.]

The Government of the Republic declares and notifies whomsoever it may concern that it has decided to observe a strict neutrality in the war which has just broken out between Spain and the United States.

It considers it to be its duty to remind Frenchmen residing in France, in the colonies and protectorates, and abroad that they must refrain from all acts which, committed in violation of French or international law, could be considered as hostile to one of the parties or as contrary to a scrupulous neutrality. They are particularly forbidden to enroll themselves or to take service either in the army on land or on board the ships of war of one or the other of the belligerents, or to contribute to the equipment or armament of a ship of war.

The Government decides in addition that no ship of war of either belligerent will be permitted to enter and to remain with her prizes in the harbors and anchorages of France, its colonies and protectorates, for more than twenty-four hours, except in the case of forced delay or justifiable necessity.

No sale of objects gained from prizes shall take place in the said harbors and anchorages.

Any person disobeying the above restrictions can have no claim to the protection of the Government or its agents against the acts or measures which the belligerents might exercise or decree in accordance with the rules of international law, and such persons will be prosecuted, should there be cause, according to the laws of the Republic.