The minister of marine can, however, grant special permits in derogation to the prohibition informing, then, the proper consulate thereof. (6) In case of noncompliance with the regulations contained in provisions 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as of the prohibitions laid down in the third regulation the ships to which such nonobservance may refer, shall be required, and the owners or the brokers shall be entitled to no compensation other than the ordinary managing expenses which they will have incurred. The naval and consular officials can refuse to let the shipments be made, and can also prevent, by any means, the sailing of negligent ships even before the requisition, without any compensation being ordered. (7) The juridical powers of the actually existing deeds not yet registered at the date of publication of the present decree itself, are suspended until the secretary of the navy may have given his approval to such deeds. The naval consular officials shall not proceed to the transcription of such deeds until they have ascertained that the aforesaid approval does not exist, the provisions contained in decree of January 2, 1916, and concerning warranty and maritime exchange agreements remaining unchanged. Notice of mine fields in Tyrrhenian Sea, February 27, 1917. [Paragraph of telegram received by the Secretary of State from the American ambassador at Rome.] FEBRUARY 27, 1917. In a communication dated February 27 foreign office requests Secretary of State be immediately notified of decision of minister of marine on account of blockade of Italy by central empire to take urgent and special measures to protect commerce of Italy by extensive barriers of mines along the Tyrrhenian seacoast from the 1st of March. Some barriers will be variable, others permanent, and others temporary anchored mines. Neutral ships arriving and departing at Italian ports will, through special service organized therefor, be informed routes to follow, as a protection against all danger. Details, geographic position, and danger regions can not be given owing to military exigencies. Declaration of Rome by Congress for the liberation of the oppressed nationalities of Austria-Hungary, April 10, 1918.1 [Official United States Bulletin, No. 323, p. 2.] The representatives of the nationalities wholly or partly subject to the domination of Austria-Hungary-Italians, Poles, Roumanians, 1 Approved by United States May 31, 1918, infra, p. 209, and by Allied Supreme War Council, June 4, 1918, supra, p. 98. Czechs, Jugo-Slavs have united in affirming as follows the principles by which their common action shall be guided: 1. Each of these peoples proclaims its right to establish its own nationality and State unity, to complete this unity, and to attain full political and economic independence.1 2. Each of these peoples recognizes in the Austro-Hungarian mon-archy the instrument of Germanic domination and the fundamental obstacle to the realization of its aspirations and its rights. 3. The assembly, consequently, recognizes the necessity for a common struggle against the common oppressors, in order that each people may attain its complete liberation and complete national unity as a single free State. The representatives of the Italian people and the Jugo-Slav people are agreed in particular as follows: 1. As regards the relations between the Italian nation and the nation of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes-known also under the name of the Jugo-Slav nation-the representatives of the two peoples recognize that the unity and independence of the Jugo-Slav nation is a vital interest of Italy, just as the completion of Italian nationality is a vital interest of the Jugo-Slav nation. And therefore the representatives of the two peoples pledge themselves to use their utmost effort to the end that during the war and at the moment of peace these aims of the two peoples may be fully attained in their entirety. 2. They affirm that the liberation of the Adriatic Sea and its defense against every actual and eventual enemy is a vital interest of the two peoples. 3. They pledge themselves to resolve amicably, in the interest of future good and sincere relations between the two peoples, the various territorial controversies on the basis of nationality, and the rights of peoples to decide their own fate and in such a manner as not to injure the vital interests of the two nations, to be defined at the moment of peace. 4. The nuclei of one people which may have to be included within the frontiers of the other shall be guaranteed the right to have their own language, culture, and moral and economic interests respected. 1 Czecho-Slovak deputies declared for home rule in the Austrian Parliament, May 30, 1917. At meetings at Prague, Jan. 6, 1918, and May 16, 1918, independence was demanded. (New York Times, Current History, 8 (pt. 2): 115.) A provisional government in Paris issued a declaration of independence, Oct. 18, 1918 (Ibid. 9 (pt. 1): 492; Official United States Bulletin, No. 441, p. 3), and in combination with the representatives of other central European peoples a declaration of independence was proclaimed at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Oct. 26, 1918. Delegates from Prague and Paris met at Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 2, 1918, drafted a constitution and elected Prof. Thomas G. Masaryk, president of the Czecho-Slovak Republic, which had been formally proclaimed at Prague Oct. 29, 1918. Representatives of various Jugo-Slav nationalities met at Corfu July 27, 1917, and concluded an agreement for the establishment of a new State under the rule of the King of Serbia. Ata meeting at Wagram, Mar. 2, 1918, Jugo-Slavs, including Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs, demanded independence. (New York Times, Current History, 8 (pt. 2): 118.) -Statement by Italian Premier Orlando of attitude toward Czecho-Slovaks, October 3, 1918.1 [New York Times, Current History 9 (pt. 1): 496.] As early as April 21, 1918, the Italian Government concluded an agreement with the Czecho-Slovak National Council for the creation of a legion to fight on our front, a step which implied the recognition of a de facto government. Since then our relations with this heroic people have been uniformly friendly, and the fraternal bonds between us have been strengthened and hallowed by the blood which its generous sons have shed in the Alps for the defense of Italy as well as of their own land. I believe I am a faithful interpreter of the soul of the whole Italian nation when I say that the union between these two people will continue sincere and indissoluble and will be prolonged through fruitful, economic, and intellectual relations after the war. JAPAN. Notification of Sasebo defensive sea area, August 23, 1914. Navy Department Notification No. 5, August 23, 1914. From August 23, 1914, the following place will be the Sasebo defense sea area: ROFURO YASHIRO, The sea area within the line connecting Sai-no-hana, south extremity of Imoto-jima, Otate-jima, Shishiki-zaki, and Kanzake-hana. However, Omura Bay is not included in the area. Regulations for Sasebo defensive sea area, August 23, 1914. The commander in chief of the Sasebo naval station has promulgated the following rules for the control of the Sasebo defense sea area and of vessels navigating therein: RULES RELATING TO THE SASEBO DEFENSE SEA AREA AND VESSELS NAVIGATING THEREIN. ARTICLE 1. The general control over the water within the naval port is in charge of the harbor master of Sasebo and that over the entrance to the port and the waters outside of the entrance is in charge of the commander of defense of the entrance of Port Sasebo. ART. 2. Any vessel other than those belonging to the army or the navy, which desires to enter or leave the port or to pass it, must obtain the permission of the commander in chief of the Sasebo naval station beforehand. However, vessels less than 20 tons, gross, or vessels less than 200 "koku" capacity, or boats or any other vessels wholly or principally driven by oars, shall, in spite of these rules, stop near the 1 Italy recognized the Czecho-Slovak National Council by a concluding convention, June 30, 1918, giving them exterritorial rights in Italy. entrance of the port and receive directions from the commander of defense of port entrance. ART. 5. Vessels which desire to enter, leave, or pass the defense sea area or to anchor therein, must first stop at a stopping place and receive, directions from the watch vessel specially stationed there or from a pilot vessel with regard to their movements, beacons, signals, etc. ART. 4. The stopping places of vessels are as follows: When entering: About 1 mile west of Kanzaki-hana. About 1 mile west of Mitoko-hana. About 1 mile south of Shishiki-zaki, When leaving: South of Iwo-zaki within the naval port. ART. 5. A specially stationed watch vessel or a pilot vessel will' always be near he stopping places. ART. 6. The pilot vessels which shall guide vessels which enter, leave, or pass the defense sea area, hoist the following signal: Daytime, pilot flag (square flag, upper part white, lower part red.) Night, two white lights." ART. 7. Vessels navigating the defense sea area shall not steam at a speed higher than 8 knots. ART. 8. With regard to vessels belonging to persons living on the coast of the defense sea area, in daytime the prohibition of article 4 shall not be enforced and article 2 shall not be applied. ART. 9. Fishing, taking seaweeds, swimming, etc., are prohibited within the defense sea area, unless with permission of the commander in chief of the naval station. Notification of Bako defensive sea area, August 23, 1914. Navy Department Notification No. 6, August 23, 1914. From August 23, 1914, the following place will be the Bako defense sea area. ROKURO YASHIRO, The sea area within the line connecting Litsitah Point, south extremity of Kosei-cho and Ko-kaku. Regulations for Bako defensive sea area, August 23, 1914. The commander of the Bako secondary naval station has promulgated the following rules for the control of the Bako defense sea area and of vessels navigating therein: RULES RELATING TO THE BAKO DEFENSE SEA AREA AND VESSELS NAVI GATING THEREIN. ARTICLE 1. These rules are applicable to vessels other than thosebelonging to the army or the navy which desire to enter, leave, or pass the defense sea area when Bako has been designated as such. ART. 2. No vessels other than those belonging to the army or the navy shall be permitted to enter or leave the defense sea area without permission of the commander of the station. ART. 3. Vessels which desire to obtain the permission of the preceding article shall apply for it beforehand and receive permit for passage to and from the defense sea area. This permit shall not be loaned or transferred to another. ART. 4. Vessels which desire to enter or leave the defense sea area (including vessels of the preceding article which are required to obtain permission) shall stop at one of the following places, and shall wait for a pilot, showing the signals prescribed in article 5: 1. When entering: A place not less than 14 miles from the Kitsushibi (Litsitah) Lighthouse of Gyoo-to between the lines drawn southwest and southwest by south from the same lighthouse. 2. When leaving: Within the line drawn between Fukibi-kaku and Kaikan-gan. ART. 5. Vessels which have stopped at the above places shall display their signal letters and also the following signals: In steamers, flag asking for a pilot, and steam whistle shall be sounded repeatedly. In sailing vessels, flag asking for a pilot, and horn shall be blown. ART. 6. When the pilot vessel has recognized vessels of the preceding article, it shall hoist in answer the answering pennant of the international code, and shall guide the vessels. However, with regard to vessels which ask for the permission of article 2, instruction from the station must be waited for. When the pilot vessel permits free movements to the vessels, the answering pennant of the preceding article shall be hauled down. ART. 7. The pilot vessel shall display in daytime the pilot flag (upper part white, lower part red) of the special signals to be used for British vessels of the international code, and at night two white lights abreast from the foremast. ART. 8. Vessels navigating the defense sea area are liable to inspection by the watch or pilot vessel and must give clear answers to inquiries from them. ART. 9. Steamers in entering or leaving port shall steam at a speed not more than 5 knots. ART. 10. In following sea areas and channels, arrival or passage of all vessels is forbidden except with special permission of the commander of the station: The sea areas 3 miles around Boko Island, Kosei-cho, Gyoo-to, Hakusa-to, Kitsubai-cho, and Mokuto-cho. ART. 11. When passage of vessels is totally prohibited within the defense sea area, the N flag of the international code shall be displayed at the signal station at Litsitah Point. ART. 12. From sunset to sunrise the passage to and from the defense sea area of vessels, except those specially permitted, is prohibited. |