Notification., February 18, 1868

Notification.

Considering that, according to official advices which have been communicated to the representatives of foreign powers, war has broken out between his Majesty the Mikado and the Tycoon, the undersigned, for the purpose of assuring the observance of strict neutrality on the part of French subjects, informs them that all military co-operation of whatever nature it may be, the sale of vessels of war and transports, the transport of soldiers, dispatches, and articles contraband of war by French vessels for or against one of the two belligerent parties, constitutes, according to the rules of international law, an infraction of the laws of neutrality, which would expose the delinquents to the penalties provided by law, and merchant vessels to be seized and their cargoes confiscated; and, moreover, any infraction of neutrality on the part of subjects and of those protected by France would expose them to lose the protection of the government of his imperial Majesty, and deprive them of the rights and privileges which are accorded to them by the Franco-Japanese treaty.