Why did germany use "prize regulations"?

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by BigWalleye

I don’t see how these two sources can both be correct. Does anyone have additional information?

Further down the Wiki article also makes reference to War Order No. 154, from December 1939, and links to this article.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Order_No._154

That was likely the one recovered from U-13, and the Laconia order was probably an extension and reiteration of Order 154.