“A vessel belonging to or employed in the service of the Government of the United States; or a vessel of a neutral foreign government not engaged in trade; a vessel in distress; or a yacht belonging to an organised yacht club of the United States or of a neutral foreign nation.
“The tonnage of a vessel shall be the net or register tonnage expressed in her national certificate of registry.
“Landing Charges: The tax of $1 on each ton of merchandise imported or exported, hitherto imposed as a substitute for tonnage taxes, is abolished.
“The present exemption of coal from this tax is continued.
“The present export tax of 5 cents per gross ton on ore is abolished.
“Special Charges at Santiago:[19] The harbour improvement taxes at Santiago de Cuba will continue to be levied, as at present, as follows:
| Each steamer entering | $8.50 |
| Each sailing vessel entering | 4.25 |
| Each ton of cargo landed from a steamer | .25 |
| Each ton of cargo landed from a sailing vessel | .125 |
| Each ton of coal landed from a steamer | .125 |
| Each ton of coal landed from a sailing vessel | .10 |
“Coasting Trade of Cuba: To facilitate the occupation and control of Cuba by the military forces of the United States and the restoration of order, the laws now in force restricting the coasting trade of the Island to Spanish vessels are hereby modified as follows:
“(a) Vessels of the United States may engage in the coasting trade of the island of Cuba.
“(b) The officer of the Army of the United States in command at any port of Cuba in possession of the United States is empowered to issue a permit to a resident of Cuba who owns a vessel, which shall entitle such vessel to engage in the coasting trade of the Island: Provided, That the owner and master of such vessel shall upon oath before such officer entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to the King of Spain or to any other foreign prince, state, or sovereignty whatever.