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PROCLAMATIONS. Nos. 17, 18.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington this 5th day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and four, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-eighth.
[SEAL.]
[No. 18.]
February 11, 1904.
By the President of the United States of America,
A PROCLAMATION.Preamble.
Vol. 26, p. 1103.WHEREAS a state of war unhappily exists between Japan, on the one side, and Russia, on the other side;
AND WHEREAS the United States are on terms of friendship and amity with both the contending powers, and with the persons inhabiting their several dominions;
AND WHEREAS there are citizens of the United States residing within the territories or dominions of each of the said belligerents and carrying on commerce, trade, or other business or pursuits therein, protected by the faith of treaties;
AND WHEREAS there are subjects of each of the said belligerents residing within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States, and carrying on commerce, trade, or other business or pursuits therein;
AND WHEREAS the laws of the United States, without interfering with the free expression of opinion and sympathy, or with the open manufacture or sale of arms or munitions of war, nevertheless impose upon all persons who may be within their territory and jurisdiction the duty of an impartial neutrality during the existence of the contest;
AND WHEREAS it is the duty of a neutral government not to permit or suffer the making of its waters subservient to the purposes of war;
War between Japan and Russia.
Declaration of neutrality.
NOW THEREFORE, I, THEODORE ROOSEVELT, President of the United States of America, in order to preserve the neutrality of the United States and of their citizens and of persons within their territory and jurisdiction, and to enforce their laws, and in order that all persons, being warned of the general tenor of the laws and treaties of the United States in this behalf, and of the law of nations, may thus be prevented from an unintentional violation of the same, do hereby declare and proclaim that by the act Vol. 8, p. 447.
passed on the 20th day of April, A. D. 1818, commonly known as the "neutrality R. S., Title LXVII, p. 1024.
law", the following acts are forbidden to be done, under severe penalties, within the territory and jurisdiction of the United States, to-wit:—
1. Accepting and exercising a commission to serve either of the said belligerents by land or by sea against the other belligerent.
2. Enlisting or entering into the service of either of the said belligerents as a soldier, or as a marine, or seaman on board of any vessel of war, letter of marque, or privateer.
3. Hiring or retaining another person to enlist or enter himself in the service of either of the said belligerents as a soldier, or as a marine, or seaman on board of any vessel of war, letter of marque, or privateer.
4. Hiring another person to go beyond the limits or jurisdiction of the United States with intent to be enlisted as aforesaid.
5. Hiring another person to go beyond the limits of the United States with intent to be entered into service as aforesaid.
6. Retaining another person to go beyond the limits of the United States with intent to be enlisted as aforesaid.
