The sun., 1915-05-16

might not be taken from him at a
word from them.l5
With the impersonal coldness Of a
judicial machine they went about the
work Of stripping the city Of treasure.
In all the departments Of the munici-
pality were soldier experts studying
the books. In the Custom House were
half a hundred others searching the
records Of exports and imports. Every
financial institution OF the city had
in the State House.
During all this time the invader
made daily acquisitions for the use of
the troops or for other military pur-
poses. He demanded for the navy a
supply Of 10000 pounds of smoking
tobacco. 1000 pounds Of roasted coffee,
one ton Of rice, 800 pounds Of salt and
$4,000 pounds Of fresh meat. He made
requisition for paint, cable. ropes. hose
and steel for the ships.ls
There were acquisitions for medical
supplies. for cloth and for shoes. To
the harassei officials, who remon-
strated against the hardships that
Were laid on the city and pointed TO
the state OF its trade, the reply was
that it was one Of the richest cities
in the world and that the levies We're
modest. When a deputation of citi-
zens pressed the protest the council
printed its reply in the official col
umns OF the newspapers.
"In regard to the acquisitions made
by the occupying army" said this
statement, attention is called to the
fact that the United States Supreme
Court in the case New Orleans VS..
Steamship Company. 20 Wall, 394. de-
cided that the military governing au-
thority may do anything to strengthen
itself and to weaken the enemy and
that the court further stated that
there is no limit to the powers that
may be exerted in such cases save
those which are found in the laws and
usages Of war" II
Despite the cannon that Glowered
in all the streets Boston's fury at this
ironic rejoinder nearly broke through
all restraint. In the old city that had
the famous tea party among its priced
achievements the spirit OF that past
age awoke again and spread almost
without concerted thought or inten-
,ion. Wherever men could meet they
formed in groups to ease their minds
by free speech. IL they could do moth
ing eise. In several quarters of the
city there We're incipient riots. sup
pressed by the police only just in time
to avoid bloody interference by the SOL
diers.
I'VE must curb this town" said the
commanding General to the military
4 t. ,.t
one to remain cowed for long without
repressive measures
The council nodded. Next morn
ing's newspapers had on their first
pages an announcement that made
many readers rub their eyes and stare
incredulously at the printed page, fol
on it was such n proclamation a:
might have been read in Boston towr
in the reign Of Charles l. 1t was a:
follows:
SEDITION LAW.
l. Every person resident in the ter
ritory occupied by the power exercising
sovereignty by right of conquest whit
shall utter sedltious words or speeches
or write. publish or circulate scurrilou
libels against the governing authority
or who shall conceal such practices tina
come to his knowledge shall be pun
lshed summarjly and severely.
2. Every person who joins a secre
society or attends secret meeting TO
the purpose Of advocating sedition o
rebellion shall be punished summaril
and severely.lS
Again the citizens committee pro
tested. Boston lawyers represented
to the military council that American