Evening journal., 1915-08-19
The Seeds of Treason and the
SoWer of The Seeds of Treason
From the New York Sun.

Once more we call attention to the
time limit prescribed by the Constitu-
tion for such activities and uttersnces
on the part OF German American" citi-
zens of the United States as are illus
trated in the documents which the
World is publishing for the good of the
country.
The World properly describes the pro-
cess of intrigue and bribery in the guise
of subsidy as the Sowing broadca st
the seeds of treason throughout the
United States' That is what it is; the
seeds Of treason but not treason just
at present. Il is important TO distin-
guish clearly between the two aspects of
this business:
First, as to those American citizens
whose sympathy for the German cause
takes the form Of material assistance OF
one sort or another rendered in secret
cooperation with Berlin, or in the form
Of utteranccs denoting a sense of allie
glance to Germany superior TO the claim
of loyalty TO the United States This
general attitude is frequently denounced
as "treasonablc" The Constitution
however. clearly defines the hnpardon.
able sin Of trenson
Treason against the United States
shall consist only in levying war against
them, or in adhering to their enemies
giving them aid or comfort. Tn,
Congress shall have the power to de.
clare the punishment of treason
The punishment of treason was FIRST
declared by the Congress to be death
by hanging. II is now death or im-
prisonment But the definition ad-
mits OF no constructive" treasons.
Until the United States Government
is actually at war. until certain OF its
citizens are actually levying war
against the republic, or until certain
of its citizens are actually adhering TO
a foreign government actually at war
with the United States, or giving aid
and comfort to a foreign government
actually an enemy Of the United
States there can be no treason in the
case Of such citizens; and, Of course.
no method Of proceeding against
them for reasonable behavior. Their
essential disloyalty may be patent
to all observers. There may even
be conclusive evidence that this dis
loyalty is purchased or inspired. in
one way or another. by the agents
of a foreign government: but the
crime of treason cannot exist until
actual rebellion raises its armed
hand against the Government. or ac-
tual war begins with a foreign gov
ernment Then the time limit is
reached. The seeds of treason have
terminated and all at once the gal
lows crime is there.
II is so easy to acquire a dangerous
habit during recognized period Of
immunity that we implore our fellow
citizens who sympathize strongly and
naturally with the German cause, and
who are not overparticular as to the
form in which their sympathies ex-
press themselves, TO ponder we'll the
slightness of the transition by which
deeds and words now legally immune
may SUDDENLY become the deeds and
words Of a crime for which the pun
ishment is death.
The second aspect of this conspiracy
or cooperation between the represent
atives of the Kaiser's Government and
hyphenated citizens owing their undi-
vided political allegiance TO the
United States is much simpler so far
as the possibility of repressive action
is concerned. We refer to the posi-
tion OF members of the German Em-
bassy who may be shown by the gov
ernmental investigation now in prog
ress to have used their presence and
privileges in this country TO dissent
nate the seeds of treason among GER
tain of our citizens.
Nearly a year ago when we had