Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-27
WASHINGTON, D. C.
FRIDAY, JANUARY Fl, 1854.
UNIVERSAL REPUBLICAN SOCIETY.

UNIVERSAL REPUBLICAN bOClETf.
II would seem that a Society exists in New
York city, composed chiefly Of immigrants
from Europe, whose object is to promote the
cause Of Universal Republicanism. A letter
was lately read at one Of its meetings from
JOHN P. HALE, in reply to the following ques-
tons respecting the Neutrality Laws
Whether there is anything in these laws
iorbidding any citizen or citizens of the United
States, or any person residing here not cti-
zen, from leaving the United States, with the
intention Of joining himself or themselves to
any nation at war with another nation, with
which the United States are at peace
O. If such person or persons, leaving the
United States with such intent, mag go armed?
"3 Isit unlawful for any one to assist q per-
son thus about to leave the country with arms
or money!
"a. If arms may be sent by sea to one of the
belligerent parties, with which this Govevn-
ment is ut peace J"
To the first question, Mr. Hale returns q
negative, to the second and third, on af6rma-
tive; that is, in his opinion, without violation
Of our Neutrality Laws, any person or persons,
citizens of the United States or not, armed or
not, may leave the United States with the in
tention Of joining himself or themselves to
any nation at war with another nation with
which we are at peace and it is lawful to as
sist such person or persons with money or
arms
He states that the act Of April 90, 1918, re-
pealing all former acts on the subject Of neu-
trality, contains oil the restrictions now in
force.
By section /, citizen Of the United States,
within the territory or jurisdiction thereof is
forbidden "to accept or exercise q commission
to serve foreign prince, state, colony, district
or people, in war, by land or by sea, any prince,
state, colony, district or people, with whom the
United States are at peace;o and by section
I'd it is enacted, 1that if any person shall,
within the territory or jurisdiction of the Uni
ted States, enlist or enter himself or hire or
retain another person to enlist or enter him.
self, to go beyond the limits or the Jurisdiction
of the United States with intent to be enlisted
or entered in the services Of any foreign prince,
state, colony, district or people, as o soldier,
or as marine or seaman on board Of any YES
sci of war, letter of marque or privateer, every
person so offending shall be deemed guilty.
Sc. To this section, he adds, there is pro-
viso in favor of the subjects or citizens of any
foreign state, colony, district, or people, who
- N 49,. H. xV:kb.~ xLo IT..k~J
From the nature of the case, it is impossible
to enforce these prohibitions vigorously. They
may be easily evaded. The first notification
the authorities here may have of such enlist
ment, may be the presence and operations of
the enlisted abroad, on the field of action
Or there may DO no formal enlistment-a score
or two Of men may agree to meet at some
point beyond the jurisdiction Of the United
States, for the well-understood purpose of or
ganizing and taking part in foreign war, and
how is the Government to prevent them
What Law can reach them?
In reply to the fourth question, Mr.. Hale
says
aThe act Of Goth April, 1918, forbids tho
the United States, with intent that such shin
or vessel shall be employed in the service Of
any foreign prince or state, or Of any colony,
district, or people, TO cruise or commit hostili-
ties against the subjects, citizens, or property
Of any foreign prince or state, or Of any colo
ny, district, or people, with whom the United
States are ut peace, or under like circumstan-
ces, issuing or delivering commission for any
such ship or vessel with such intent &c.
"There are in tho subsequent provisions of
the act several Of like character, but all
contemplating that the ship or vessel is TO be
engaged in committing hostilities against the
Government with which this Government is at
peace, and see nothing in the law forbidding
the sending Of arms or munitions Of war 10
either Of the belligerents.
But although there is nothing in the law
against sending arms or munitions Of war to
one Of the belligercnts when the United States
are at peace with the other party, yet there is
q very significant proviso TO the second section
OF the act passed March 10, 1898, entitled
AN act supplementary to an act entitled an
act in addition TO the act for the punishment
Of certain crimes against the United States,
and 10 repeal the acts therein mentioned APP
proved April 1918,
"This act passed about the time of the trou.
Dies IN canada, and forbade, under penalties,
the sending Of ship or vessel, or any arms or
munitions Of war, which might be provided or
prepared for any military expedition or enter
prise against the territory or dominions OF any
foreign prince or state, or Of any colony, dis
trict or people, conterminous with the United
States, and with whom they are at peace
"This act was limited In its operation TO two
years, and the proviso TO the second section
was as follows, viz:
90 PROVIDED, That nothing in this act con-
tanned shall be construed TO extend to or inter-
fere, with any trade in arms or munitions Of
war, conducted in vessels by sea, with any for
eign port or place whatsoever, OF with any
Other trade which might have been lawfully
carried on before the passage Of this act, un-
der tho law Of nations and provisions Of the
act hereby amended
Mr.. Hale closes his communication with q
remark which viii be endorsed BY all true re-
rubiicana.