Proclamation of neutrality.
Information having been received that war has broken out between
Prussia and France, his Majesty the Emperor has declared his resolve
to maintain strict neutrality, and he has therefore directed that
the following regulations shall be made known, not only at the open
ports, but also at all towns on the sea-coast, so as to prevent
untoward consequences.
Article I. The contending parties are not
permitted to engage in hostilities in Japanese harbors or inland
waters, or within a distance of three ri from land at any place,
such being the distance to which a cannon ball can be thrown.
Men-of-war or merchant vessels will, however, be allowed free
passage as heretofore.
Article II. Any vessel belonging to either
of the contending parties, whether men-of-war or merchant vessels,
shall be impartially supplied with wood, water, and provisions at
the open ports, or other sea-ports of Japan in the same way as
notified before, and shall receive asssistance in case of
distress.
Article III. If ships of war belonging to
both parties enter the same port, the ship belonging to one party
will not be allowed to sail until twenty-four hours after the
departure of the other.
Article IV. Some countries have troops
stationed at one of the open ports, their men-of-war are allowed to
anchor there, and a marine camp has been formed: but this permission
has been granted solely for the ordinary protection of their
subjects resident at the port in question, and not for any purpose
connected with foreign wars. These quarters must not be used in
furtherance of any expedition against the enemy, and unconnected
with their ordinary use.
Article V. Japanese vessels are prohibited
from carrying troops, arms, or munitions of war for the service of
either of the hostile parties.
Article VI. All persons, with the exception
of pilots, who shall take service on board of ships of war of either
of the contending parties, will do so at their own risk and
peril.
Article VII. The sale of prizes in a
Japanese harbor is prohibited. In case, however, it should become
necessary to dispose of a prize in a Japanese harbor, permission
should, be applied for, and question decided in. consultation with
the diplomatic representative of the nation to which the captor
belongs.
Article VIII. With regard to other articles
of import and export the same rules are to be observed as
hitherto.
[Page 189]
Article IX. In case any of the provisions
of the above regulations which relate to foreigners should be
infringed, steps should be taken to put a stop to such acts by
application to the consul of the party concerned, if committed at
the open ports. If representations to the consul are of no effect,
application should be made to the Japanese men-of-war stationed
there to take the necessary steps. If a breach of these regulations
be committed at a non-treaty port, the local authorities should
inform the authorities at the nearest open port, and also the
Japanese men-of-war. In the case of remote places, notice should be
sent direct to the war and foreign offices.
The above regulations must be carefully attended to by the
authorities of the open ports, and of the seaboard Fu, Han, and
Ken.
