The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1914-12-11
A REIGN OF NO LAW
That In Reality Is What Is Meant
by Martial Law.
SUSPENDS ALL OTHER LAWS.

Their Arbitrary Power Over Persons
and Property of All Kinds.
What is martial law? Some people
have vague idea that 1t Ia military
law, but this is mistake. Military
law has nothing whatever to do with
martial law. Military law is simply
that branch of the laws applicable to
military service and duties, consisting
OF the statutes, regulations and prin-
ciples by which the army and its af-
fairs are governed The misunder
standing has arisen partly from the
name given to 1t and partly from the
fact that 1t Is the military which fire.
quently carry out the regulations,
while often the military forms of
courts are held.
The police, however. II duly author
fZed, may carry out martial law.
1t is difficult TO define the meaning OF
martial law In nontechnical words.
The dictionary definition OF martial law
Is that 1t Is military authority exer-
cised in accordance with the laws and
usages Of war when the civil authority
by proclamation or by the actual pres
ence of hostile force. But the best
definition given has been that of mo
law"
1t means that the supreme authority
is empowered to do as 1t wills and that
all ordinary laws. for the time being,
have no operation whatever. There are
no laws dealing with its application.
those In command possessing entirely
arbitrary power.
This means that there win be com
plete revolution In the ways Of the
people wherever martial law is pro-
claimed. All ordinary life will be af.
fected, and 1t will no longer be the
case that "an Englishman's home IS
his castle"
AS a rule, when place Is under
martial law It's inhabitants must clear
out OF the streets before a certain
time every evening, say 8 o'clock.
Then all places of amusement, public
houses and so on are closed entirely.
Even during the daytime a limit is
made as to the number of people who
may assemble. so that a party of peo-
ple-numbering above. say. half doz-
en- would be liable to instant punish.
ment- Also certain places and certain
streets are forbidden to the people,
who may be compelled to keep beyond
certain radius from the specified
places.
Those In authority may take any
object they like from anywhere, enter
ing houses as well as shops to COM
mandeer whatever they wish without
any control Any person may be COM
PEELED to give complete account of his
movements. past, present and project
ed. and may be searched or even ar
rested without warrant
Crimes are dealt with very severely.
| Thus suppose a man breaks win
dow Instead of being hauled up be-
| fore a magistrate and subjected TO
small fine, the policeman would be
perfectly justified in shooting him inn
Inediately.
So in the case OF robbery. man
stealing purse need not be arrested,
but could be shot, this being a perfect
| ly justif1able action on the part of
those In authority.
Every person might be compelled to
carry passport, giving full evidence
of his identification. Passports would
be necessary In the case of those using
horses or vehicles of any kind. includ-
ing cycles
All persons who were compelled to
be out at night would be provided
with special night passes signed by
the one in authority No person would
be allowed to leave one town for an
other or travel beyond a certain dis
tance without being the possessor OF
a properly signed passport given for
this special purpose.
The object. of course, is to keep the
people within certain districts and also
to prevent foreign spies and the like
from moving into the country and 80
cleaning information of value to our
enemies. Philadelphia inquirer.