Whereas by an act of Congress approved April 25, 1898,[26] it is
declared that war exists and that war has existed since the 21st day of
April, A.D. 1898, including said day, between the United States of
America and the Kingdom of Spain; and
Whereas, it being desirable that such war should be conducted upon
principles in harmony with the present views of nations and sanctioned
by their recent practice, it has already been announced that the policy
of this Government will be not to resort to privateering, but to adhere
to the rules of the Declaration of Paris:
Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and the
laws, do hereby declare and proclaim:
1. The neutral flag covers enemy's goods with the exception of
contraband of war.
2. Neutral goods not contraband of war are not liable to confiscation
under the enemy's flag.