Kalakaua R to By the King: Henry A. P. Carter, May 29, 1877

proclamation.

[Coat of arms.]

Kalakaua, by the grace of God, of the Hawaiian Islands, King:

Whereas a state of war unhappily exists or may be pending between certain European powers; and whereas the kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands is on terms of friendship with all nations, and its laws impose upon all persons who may be within its territory and jurisdiction the duty of an impartial neutrality in time of war:

Now, therefore, we, Kalakaua, by the grace of God King of the Hawaiian Islands, do hereby declare and proclaim the neutrality of this kingdom, its subjects, and of all persons within its territory and jurisdiction, in the war now existing or impending between the great powers of Europe; that the neutrality is to be respected by all belligerents to the full extent of our jurisdiction, including not less than one marine league from the low-water mark on the respective coasts of the islands composing this kingdom, and also all its ports, harbors, bays, gulfs, estuaries, and arms of the sea cut off by lines drawn from one headland to another; and that all captures and seizures, enlistments, or other acts, in violation of our neutrality, within our jurisdiction, are unlawful.

We do hereby further declare and proclaim that our subjects and all persons within the territory and jurisdiction of this kingdom, and all vessels registered or sailing under the flag thereof, are hereby strictly enjoined to take no part, directly or indirectly, in said war, and that whatever privileges shall be accorded to the vessels of one belligerent within the ports of this kingdom shall be in like manner accorded to the vessels of the others.