The New International Encyclopædia/Manifesto

MANIFESTO (It., manifest). In international law, the declaration or formal statement which it was formerly customary for a belligerent to publish within its own territory or communicate to other States through diplomatic agents. With modern conditions of intercommunication, whereby events become a matter of common knowledge among the Powers, such a formal notification has become less imperative, although commercial interests and international courtesy usually render it almost obligatory in case of protracted hostilities. See Declaration of War.