The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-08-13
President Wilson Issues PrOclama-
ton of Neutrality.

President Wilson last week issued
an official proclamation of neutrality
on the part of the United States in
the great war which is now raging
between the big powers of Europe.
AS many of our readers do not know
what a proclamation of neutrality
means, we publish the proclamation:
The proclamation of neutrality is
sued by the president, after setting
forth that "a state of war unhappily
exists between Austria-HungaIy and
Servia and between German and ..us-
STA and between Germany and
France" and that "the United
States is on terms of friendship and
an1ity with the contending powers"
says:
81. Woodrow Wilson, president of
the United States of America, in
order to preserve the neutrality of
the United States and of it's citizens,
and of persons within it's territory
and jurisdiction, and to enforce it's
laws and treaties, 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 prevented from any violation of
claim that by certain provisions of
the act approved on the 4th day of
March, A. D. 1909, commonly known
as the penal code of the United
States, the following acts are for
hidden to be done under severe pen
alties within the territory and juris-
dictlon of the United States, to-wit:
Acts Forbidden.
Accepting and exercising a
commission to serve either of the
belligerents by land or sea against
the other belligerents.
Diminishing or entering into
the service of either of the said bel
ligerents as a soldier, or as a ma
rine, or seaman on board of any YES
sci of war, letter of marque, or pri-
vateer.
'3|Hiring or retaining another
person to enlist or enter himself in
the service of either of the said bel
ligerents as soldier, or as a marine
or seaman on board of any vessel of
war, letter of marque, or privateer.
'4-Hiring another person to go
beyond the limits of jurisdiction of
the United States with intent to be
enlisted as aforesaid.
'5-Hiring another person to 20
beyond the limits of the United
States with intent to be entered into
service as aforesaid.
'6-Retaining another person to
go beyond the limits of the United
States with intent to be enlisted as
aforesaid
Retaining another person to
go beyond the limits of the United
States with intent to be entered into
service as aforesaid.
S-F1tting out and arming or
attempting to fit out and arm, or
procuring to be fitted out and armed,
or knowingly being concerned in the
furnishing, fitting out, or arming of
|any ship or vessel with intent that
sllch ship or vessel shall be en-
ployed In the service of either of
the said belligerents.
9-Issuing or delivering a COM
mission within the territory or juris-
diction of tho United States for any
ship or vessel to the intent that she
may be employed as aforesaid.
81 :
Embarrassing or augmenting.
or procuring to be increased or aug
mented, or knowingly being con-
cerned in increasing or augmenting.
the force of any ship of war, cruiser
or. other armed vessel, which at the
time of her trivial within the United
States was a ship of war, cruiser or
armed vessel in the service of either
Of the said belligerents, or belonging
TO- the subjects of either, by adding
to the number of guns of such yes
sci, or by changing those on board
OF her for guns of a larger calibre.
or by the addition thereto of any
equipment solely applicable to war.
Beginning or setting on foot, or
providing, or preparing the means
for any military expedition or enter
prise to be carried on from the ter
rltory or jurisdiction of the United
States against the territories or DOM
nations of either of the said bellig-
erents"
Y. S. Waters Cannot Be Used.
The presidents proclamation then
declares that any use of waters with
in the territorial jurisdiction of the
United States by the armed vessels of
a belligerent for the purpose of pre-
pairing for hostile operations, must
be regarded as unfriendly and Of
fensive, and in violation of neutrality
and that If, from and after the fifth
day of August, instant, and during
the continuance of the present hos
tilities in Europe any ship of war
or privateer of belligerent shall
enter anv mort harhOr rOadstoad or
waters of the Unl,ed States, such
vessel shall be required to depart and
put to sea within "a hours, except |
~ nkn Al.