The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-12-04
AREgA OF NO LAW
That In Reality Is What Is Meant
by Martial Law.
SuSPENDS ALL OTHER LAWS.

nose IN Command Have Supreme Au-
thority, and There Is NO Check Upon
Their Arbitrary Power Over Persons
and Property of All Kinds.
What is martial law? Some people
have a vague idea that it is 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-
eiples by which the army and its at.
fairs are governed. The mlsunder-
standing has arisen partly from the
name given, to II and partly from the
fact that II 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
lied, may carry out martial law.
1t is difficult to define the meaning OF
martial law In nontechnical words.
The dictionary definition OF martial law
il that 1t is military authority exer-
cised In accordance with the laws and
usages Of war when the civil authority
rs wholly or partly suspended, either
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 it 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 will be com
plete revolution in the ways OF the
people wherever martial law is pro.
claimed. All ordinary life win he az.
fected. and IL viii no longer be the
case that IAN Engiishman's home is
his castle" ~
As rule. when place Is under
martial law its inhabitants must clear
out OF the streets before certain
time every evening, say o'clock.
Then all places of amusement, public
houses and so on are closed entirely.
Even during the daytime limit IL
made rs TO the number of people who
may assemble. so that party OF reo.
ple-numbering above, say, half doz-
rn--wonld be liable 20 instant punish.
neut Also certain places and certain
streets are forbidden to the people.
who may be compelled to keep beyond
certain radius from the specified
places. eaA
Those in authority may take any
object they like from anywhere. enter
ing houses as we'll 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 man breaks a win
dow. Instead OF being hauled up be-
fore magistrate and subjected 10
small fine. the policeman. would he
perfectly justified in shooting him i'm
mediately.
So I'm the case OF robbery. A man
stealing purse need not be arrested,
but could be shot. this being perfect.
~ justifable action on the part OF
those in authority.
Every person might be compelled to
carry passport. giving full evidenee
Of his identification. Passports would
he necessary in the case OF those using
horses or vehicles OF any kind. includ-
ing cycles. tt.t-
All persons who were compelled 10
he out Mt night would be provided
with special night passes signed by
the one 10 authority. No person would
he allowed 10 leave one town for an
other or travel beyond certain dis.
lance 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 so
cleaning Information of value TO our