Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-08
RIGID NEUTRALITY
LAWS ARE SOUGHT.
State and Justice Departments
Ask Congress For 18 Meas
ures to Amend Exist
ing Statutes.

Washington, D.. c., June 3.-General
revision of American neutrality laws
was proposed to congress today in a
memorandum submitted by Attorney
General Gregory and concurred in by
the state department as a result of
the governments experience with prob
lens arising out of the war and of re-
lations with MsXico.
Enactment of Is new laws is recon-
mended to correct defects in existing
statutes to cover present omissions Of
law, for the observance Of obligations
im~peratively imposed by international
law upon the United States" and to
make crimes against American leu
trality punishable under federal laws.
At present many such acts do not vio-
late federal criminal law.
Almost every phase Of activity in
the United States on behalf of foreign
governments, which has resulted in
federal prosecution under the broad
charge of conspiracy, would be made
specifically criminal by the proposed
legislation. In addition the powers Of
the president would be %broadened with
respect to withholding clearance to
suspected vessels, further employment
of the land and naval forces to pre-
serve neutrality, imposing a more rigid
censorship upon wireless and cable
messages to belligerent countries and
Selling arms and ammunition about to
be exported in violation of an embargo.
Outline Of Bills.
The proposed legislation is as fol-
lows:
l.. A law making it a crime to pre-
vent or attempt to prevent expectation
of American goods by threats of vio-
lence to persons engaged in the manu-
| ia 4 III 20 ar . ~ ~ rt{a t~, 90 .r,-ni,- ~,t ; -
or by damage to the articles or the in
s~trumentalitias of their transportation
or their place of manufacture.
2. a law making it a crime to set
fire to any vessel engaged in foreign
commerce with the United States or to
place bombs or explosives aboard her
with intent I'D injure or destroy the
vessel or it's cargo.
3. A law authorizing the govern
ment to forbid the departure from
American ports Of vessels with sup
plies believed to be destined for war
ships or supply ships of belligerent
nations on the high seas.
toms would be given the right to in
spect foreign vessels in American
ports at any time. Attempts to deceive
inspectors or to prevent the inspection
would be made criminal.
h--ThiS proposal would broaden the
powers of the secretary Of state in re-
curing information under oath and
proof by affidavit of such facts as he
deems desirable in applications for
passports; would make misstatements
in applications foy passports punish
able as perjury, and would make Grim
inal the fraudulent, obtaining, transfer
or use of passports n the alteration
or forgery Of passports issued"
6-Making criminal the fraudulent
use, application or counterfeiting of the
seal of an executive department or gov-
eminent commission"
New Radio Act.
7-An act simplifying the rather re-
stricted provisions or the radio &C,
will, reference to the powers of the
president to censor or prescribe the
manner in which wireless messages
ted to belligerent counties of ships up.
on the high seas, or Otherwise.
S-A law making it - crime to Sc
on foot, participate in or attempt t.
participate in any naval expedition
against a power with which the United
States is now at peace.
9-Authorizing he president to de.
tain or seize arms about 20 be exported
in violation of any embargo.
10-A law making it a zine for an
interned officer or soldier of a bellig,
erent government to attempt to escap'
from the United States ard also max
ing 1t a crime for any o.te to aid o.
attempt to aid in the escape or at
tempted escape.
la law making it a crime to swea,
falsely to any document Intended TO.
use by a foreign government in an,
dispute or controversy wit the Unite;
States.
12-This proposal would make 1t
crime for any government employe t.
communicate to q foreign government