El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-04-17
AVOID TREASON
WILSON WARNS
President Issues Proclama
ton Defining Treason
and Citing Penalties.


widest publicity was being given
throughout the United States today to
a proclamation issued by president
Wilson yesterday defining acts Of
treason and citing the penalties pro-
vided therefor. He urged citizens and
aliens alike to avoid commission OF any
acts which might lay them open 70
vigorous prosecution
Far reaching importance attaches TO
the direction of the warning TO aliens
and the declaration that resident
aliens as we'll as citizens owe alleg-
lance TO the United States and there
fore are equally subject 10 the laws
against treason and like crimes
At war. the United States is in a very
different position from a neutral.
Bomb plotters now may be gripped
with an iron hand Not only con
spirators themselves subject 70 heavy
penalties, but any one even a German
resident. who has knowledge d
reasonable acts and fails 10 make
known the facts to the authorities may
be sent to prison for seven years and
fined $1,000.
The Proclamation.
The presidents proclamation follows:
Whereas, all persons in the United
States, citizens as well as aliens, SHOULD
be informed OF the penalties which
they will incur for any failure 10 bear
true allegiance TO the United States;
Now, therefore. I Woodrow Wilson,
president of the United States, hereby
issue this proclamation 10 call especial
attention 70 the following provisions of
the constitution and the laws OF the
United States
section 3 of article III, OF the con-
stitution provides in part; Treason
against the United States shall consist
only in leyying war against them. or
IN adhering 10 their enemies giving
them aid and comfort
Criminal Code Is Cited.
The criminal code Of the United
States provides:
" Section Whoever. owing aileg-
lance TO the United States. leTies war
against them or adheres TO their
enemies, giving them aid and comfort
within the United States or elsewhere
IS guilty OF treason.
Death May Be Penalty.
Section Whoever Is convicted Of
treason shall suffer death; or, at the
discretion OF the court, shall be i'm
fined not less than 10000; TO be levied
on and collected out OF any or all OF
his property, real and personal, OF
which ne was the owner at the time u
committing such treason, any sale 2r
conveyance TO the contrary notWlth-
standing. and every person so convicted
OF treason shall, moreover. be incap-
able of holding any office under the
United States.
AIiSprisiOn OF Treason.
Section Whoever. owing alleg-
lance to the United States and having
knowledge of the commission OF any
treason against them conceals and does
rot. az soon as may De. disclose and
make known the same 70 the president
or to some judge OF the United States
or to the government or TO some judge
or justice OF a particular state, IS
guilty Of misprision of treason and shall
be Imprisoned not more than seven
years and fined not more than $1,000.
Penalties For Plotting.
Section 6-If two or more persons
in any state or territory. OF in any
place subject to the jurisdiction Of the
United States, conspire to overthrow,
put down. or destroy by force the gov
eminent Of the United States. or .
levy war against them, or 10 oppose by
force the authority thereof. or by force
10 prevent. hinder, or delay the eZ Gu
ton of any law Of the United States,
or by force to seize. take. or possess
any property of the United States con-
trary 10 the authority thereof, they
shall each be fined not more than
$4,000, or imprisoned not more than
six years, or both
Acts OF Treason.
The courts Of the United States
have stated the following acts to be
reasonable:
The use or attempted use OF any
force or violence against the govern
tary or naval forces
THE acquisition. use. or disposal OF
any property with knowledge that 1t IS
10 be. or with intent that it shall be OF
assistance to the enemy in their hos
tilities against the United States;
The performance Of any act or the
publication OF statements or Informs
ton which will give or supply. In any
way. aid and comfort TO the enemies 81
the United States;
The direction, aiding, counseling, or
countenancing OF any OF the foregoing
acts.
Either Citizen Or Alien.
such acts are held to be reasonable
whether committed within the United
States or elsewhere; whether commit
ted by a citizen of the United States g.
by an alien domiciled. or residing in
the United States, inasmuch as resident
aliens. as well as ci'B-ens, owe leg
lance 10 the United States and its laws.
Any such citizen or alien who has
knowledge Of the commission of such
acts and conceals and does not make
known the facts to the officials named
in section OF the penal code is guilty
OF misprison Of treason.
And 7 hereby proclaim and warn
AL citizens Of the United States TO alb
stain from committing any ana al acss
rrn7cf, TT-cr-TE constitute 4 violation IF