The Hawaiian gazette., 1916-07-04
RODERCk 0. MATHESON, EDITOR
No Neutrality La,Us

LIMITED STATES Attorney-Gener Gregory
- is asking congress to enact eighteen new
laws td sSect defects in the present statutes re-
lating to neutrality, AT present many acts which
are opposed to international law do not Violate
federal criminal law The new laws would remedy
this. Summarized, these laws cover the follow.
ing subjects-to make it crime to interfere with
the expectation of American goods; or, to set FIRE
to or place bombs in vessel engaged in foreign
trade: - ,56G wo. I'D 90 -
Another law would authorize the detention in.
port of vessels which it is suspected intend to
provision foreign warships at sea, and allowing
the government to detain ships that might be
transformed into war vessels after leaving port
and used against nations with which are1at
peace ID, ~ y.
Another would empower collectors of customs
to inspect any foreign vessels in American ports.
The fifth broadens the inquistoria powers of the
secretary of state in the matter of applications
/ for passports. ai'
The sixth relates to making, counterfeiting or
using the seal of foreign governments. The next
allows the control of radio and cable messages
The eighth makes it criminal for Americahs Obi
participate in naval expeditions against nations
with which at peace. 1t is now against
the law to engage in. military expeditions. Amer
leans who do forfeit their citizenship and are
liable to criminal prosecution should they return
to the United States and again seek to exercieS
the privileges of ctizenship-a fact not generally
realized.
The ninth law would allow the seizure of arms
and munitions about to be exported COntrary~tos
embargo The next would make it crime for
an interncd foreigner to attempt to escape from
the United States The eleventh would make false
swearing to any document intended for use by a.
foreign government
United States criminal. "" t'7r
The twelfth would make any government off
cial liable to punishment should he transmit in
formation about military establishment to
foreign governments. Curious it may seem,
while army and navy officials can he punished for
this offense there is no law under which officials,
in the other departments be punished 'y,of
The thirteenth law makes it 3 line to mint
or coin money for revolutionists in country with
which we are at peace. The next Furnishes amy i
one who destroys the property of foreign govefh4l
ments within the United States. Another. would
punish anyone who masquerades as Foreigttf
representative. e
( The sixteenth forbids foreigners not in the con-
sular diplomatic service of their country acting
in the United States representatives of foreign
governments without their first obtaining the con-
sent of the United States. The next authorizes
the President to the military and naval forces
OF the United States to preserve neutrality. The
eighteenth law authorizes the issuance of search
warrants in the enforcement of criminal laws
lating to foreign relations and the observance of
neutral obligations
II will be recognized that all of the points Gov
cred have been raised since the beginning of the
European and it will be matter of surprise
to many that there have been no laws enacted
which directly apply.