Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-12
NEUTRALITY.
President Roosevelt Issues His
Expected Proclamation,
Declaring Neutrality Of This Govern
mentin Great War.
Text of Interesting and Able State
Document.

Washington, Feb. l1.-President
Roosevelt, today. issued n proclama-
tion declaring the neutrality OF this
government in the RuSsO-Japanese
war After reciting the fast that a
state of war exists between Japan and
Russia, and that the United States are
ON terms of friendship and amity with
both the cOntending powers, the pro-
clamatiOn says:
Now therefore, 7. Theodore Roose-
welt, President of the United States of
America, in order 10 preserve the neu-
trality of the United States and of
their citizens and of persons within
their territory and jurisdiction, and
to enforce their laws, and in order that
all persons. being warned Of the gen
eral tenor of the laws and treaties OF
the United States in this behalf, and
Of the law of nations, may thus be pre-
vented from unintentional violation of
the same, do hereby declare and pro-
claim by the act passed on the 10th
day Of April, A. D., 1918. commonly
known as the Neutrality law" the
following acts are forbidden to be
done. under severe penalties. within
he territory and jurisdiction of the
United States. to wit:
1-Accepting and exercising a COM
mission to serve either of the said
helligerents by land or by sea, against
the other belligerent.
diminishing or entering into the SER
vice of either of the beiligerents as n
soldier, as a marine, or seaman OIL
board Of any vessel OF war, letter of
narque. or privateer.
3-E1iring or retarding another per-
son to enlist or enter himself in the
service of either of the said bellige--
ents as soldier, or as marine, or
seaman OF board of any vessel of war,
letter Of marque or privateer.
Hiring another person to 20 be-
yond the limits or Jurisdiction OF the
United States with intent to be en-
Used as aforesaid.
5-Hiring men to go beyond the.
United States to be entered as afore-'
said
G-Retaining another person to 60
beyond the limits OF the United States
with intent to be entered as aforesaid.
1-Retaining another person to go
beyond the limits of the United States
TO be entered into service as aforesaid
but the said act is not to be construed
to extend to citizen Of either bellig-
arent. who, being transiently within
the United States shall, on being of
any vessel of the war on the time Of
its arrived within the United States
was fully equipped as such vessel of
war. enlist Or enter himself or hire or
retain another subject or citizen of the
same belligerent, who istransiently
within the United States. to enlist or
OH hiIr,calf tn CnrVica nf o,yph hQlit-
gerent on such vessel of war If the
United States shall then be at peace
with such belligerent
S-Fitting out or arming, or know
ingly being concerned in the furnish
ing, fitting out or acming of any ship
or vessel with intent that such ship
or vessel shall be employed In the ser
vice of either of the belligerents.
9-Issuing or delivering commits
sion within the territory or jurisdiction
of the United States for any ship or
vessel to the intent that she may be
employed as aforesaid.
10-Increasng or augmenting. or
knowingly being concerned in increas-
ing or augmenting. the force Of any
ship of war. cruiser or other armed
vessel which at the time of her arrival
within the United States was ship
of war. cruiser or armed vessel in the
service Of either of the said belliger-
ents. or belonging to the subjects of
either. by adding to the number of
guns of such vessels. or by changing
those on board Of her for guns Of
larger calibre, or by the addition there
to of any equipment solely applicable
to war.
11-Beginning or setting on foot or
providing or preparing the means for
any military expedition or enterprise