Evening journal., 1917-05-12
NO GAG ON PRESS
DURING THE WAR
Senate Kills Censorship Pro-
vision of the Espionage
Bill
BILL GIVES NATION
AMPLE POWERS


tight majority Of one vote the Sen
ate today struck from the Gregory
espionage bill the censorship provi-
sion that would authorize autoc-atic
power to gag the press in any and all
criticism OF the governments con-
duct of the war and the administra-
TONS international policies. The
vote was 80 to 38. Fifteen Democrats
lined up with "a Republicans to de-
feat the Objectionable provision which
has caused a storm of criticism from /
all over the country and on the floors /
of both houses Of Congress.
Senator Martin, Democratic floor
leader, was one of the Democrats /
who voted against the provision which |
Attorney General Gregory promul- /
gated.
Disposition of the censorship feature
leaves the President with no specific con
troll over the press. Other sections of
the espionage bill cover reasonable
utterances, and it was the contention
of those opposed to the censorship that
those sections will give the Govern.
ment ample powers to protest itself
1t is possible that later an effort will
be made by the administration to secure
addition of much modified censorship
provision, but the temper of the Senate
is such as to absolutely prohibit a dras-
tic regulation of the press or interior
ence with the rights of free speech.
Under the rule allowing ten min
utes to each Senator to speak on diff
ferent provisions of the espionage
bill, discussion OF other sections went
on today and vote on the whole bill
is expected before adjournment this
evening. Even as it stands it gives
the President powers such as are
hardly exceeded by any ruler in the
world.
The President Is authorized to is
sue proclamations governing move
ments Of all.vessels in American ter
ritorial waters and to take possession
Of all such vessels, II necessary.
The President Is authorized to en-
ploy land and naval forces to pre-
vent destruction or injury to any
vessel in American waters, to prevent
vessels to be used as resort for any
one conspiring against the United
States. A penalty of not more than
% years Imprisonment for anyone
fomenting trouble or conveying false
reports about the military and naval
force the country.
1t j. .sldes heavy penalty for any
one conspiring against the United
States or who harbors anyone whom
he suspects OF being a conspirator.
Il provides a fine of not more than
$4,000 and Imprisonment for not
more than ten years for anyone who
injuries or attempts to inturo vessels OF
people engaged in commerce between
this country and a foreign country.
II provides a similar penalty for
anyone attempting or accomplishing
actual Interference by violent means
eth shipment OF products from the
United States.
The President may restrain in port
any armed vessel owned wholly or
in part by American citizens, until
adequate proof is given that sailing
of the vessel will in no way ieop-
ardize the interests Of the United
States.
II makes It unlawful for sale or loan
Of any vessel armed or equipped or
built for war 10 any belligercnt ma
ton, either directly or indirectly.
It necessitates the filing of an oath
that the cargo Of any vessel leaving
and American port will not be de-
| livered to another vessel in port or
trans-shipped on the high seas.
II provides heavy penalties for any
| interned aliens who attempt to escape
or any one who assists such alien
] in the attempt.
The President Is authorized to use
! the army and navy to prevent the
Matching or launching OF armed eX-
petitions against nations at peace
with the United States.
The President is authorized to place
an embargo on arms and ammunition
whenever he deems it necessary. also
on products TO neutrals.
II provides heavy penalty for UNI
true statements designed to disturb
foreign relations Of the United States
It authorizes the posmaster-gene
TO forbid use of mails under penalty
to any one advocating or urging trea-
son. instruction or forcible resistance
TO any law OF the United States.
1t imposes a drastic penalty on any
one found distributing information
pertaining to matters of national de-
Tense or unlawfully having in his pos
session such information. maps, pic
lures, documents, codes, etc.