BRITISH NEUTRALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 38, 13 February 1904, Page 5

BRITISH NEUTRALITY.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Friday. A supplement to the Gazette contains a notification of British neutrality on the occasion of the war between Russia and Japan and also rules to be observed during the war. The proclamation injoins neutrality on all British subjects stating that the King is on terms of friendship with both nations, and is determined to maintain strict and impartial neutrality during the war. In calling attention to the Foreign Enlistment Act. 1870, the Proclamation states that punishment is provided for the master Of a ship who takes aboard any British subject who has accepted any engagement with either of the contending nations. The Act also provides for the punishment of any person within the limits of the Empire who fits out any naval or military expedition to proceed against any friendly State. The Protection of the Crowr. Ip withdrawn from any subjects, who do any acts in derogation of their duty as subjects of a neutral sovereign in a war between other States or in contravention of the law of nations, especially by running any blockade or carrying contraband of war. All such

offenders and their ships shall be liable j to hostile capture and the consequent ! penalties of forfeiture and imprisonment, while so far from obtaining the protection of the Crown they will incur its high displeasure. DENMARK WIJLL SEND SHIPS. (By Mail.) COPENHAGEN, January 12The Danish Naval Department has decided to commission four of the largest battleships, which will be used to protect Danish commercial interests in the event of war iv the Far East. The ofiicials made every effort to keep the matter secret. It ia pointed out that as there is a possibility of Europe becoming involved. Denmark must be prepared.