Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-17
PRESIDENT ISSUES PRocLAMA.
TON OF WARNING TO ALIENS
AND ALL CITIZENS.
DEATH PENALTY FOR
AIDING ENEMY NATION
Heavy Fines For Engaging in Con-
spiracies - President Cites National
Laws Defining Treason and Provid-
ing Penalties Therefor-Prosecutio
Promised Those Who Are Guilty.

Washington. April 17.--Al persons
in the United States. citizens and
aliens. are warned in a proclamation
issued by President Wilson that trea-
sonable acts or attempts to shield
those committing such acts will be
vigorously prosecuted by the govern
ment.
The proclamation defines treason,
citing statutes. provisions Of the con-
stitution and decisions OF the courts,
and declares that the acts described
Will be regarded as reasonable wheth-
er committed within the borders of the
United States or elsewhere.
Far reaching importance attaches TO
the direction of the warning to aliens
and the declaration that resident
aliens as well as citizens owe allie
glance to the United States" and
therefore are equally subject to the
laws against treason and like crimes.
Heavy Penalty Provided.
At war, the United States is in a
N'iN ppSItioiI lioHi a hVuii a..
Bomb plotters may now be gripped
with an iron hand. Not only are con-
sprators themselves subject to heavy
penalties, but any one, even a German
resident who has knowledge of trea-
sonable acts and fails TO make known
the facts to the authorities, may be
sen: 20 prison for seven years and fined
$1,000 for misprison of treason.
The presidents proclamation fol-
lows:
Whereas AN persons In the United
States, citizens as we'll as aliens,
should be Informed Of the penalties
which they will incur for any failure
to hear true allegiance to the United
States:
Defines Treason.
Now. therefore, l. Woodrow Wilson,
president of the United States, hereby
issue this proclamation 10 call especial
attention to the following provisions
of the constitution and the laws of the
United States:
Section of articles Of the consti-
tuition provides in part: Treason
against the United States shall consist
only in levying war against them, or
In adhering to their enemies. giving
them aid and comfort
THE criminal code Of the United
States provides:
Section whoever owing allegi
ance to the United States. levies war
against them or adheres TO their en-
emies, giving them aid and comfort
within the United States. or elsewhere,
is guilty Of treason.
May Suffer Death.
Section 2-Whoever IS convicted
Of treason shall suffer death. or at the
discretion of the court, shall be I'm
prisoned not less than FIVE years and
fined not less than $4,000, to ne lev
led on and collected out of any or all
Of his property, real and personal. oil
which he was the owner at the time OF
committing such treason. any sale or
conveyance to the contrary notwith-
standing. and every person 50 convict
ed OF treason shall. moreover, be in
capable Of holding any office under the
United States.
"'Section 3-Whoever. owing allegi
ance to the United States and having
knowledge Of the commission Of any
treason against them conceals and does
not. as soon as may be. disclose and
make known the same to the president
or to some judge of the United States,
or to the governor or to some judge
or justice Of a particular state, is gull
~ Of misprison of treason and shall be
imprisoned not more than seven years
and fined not more than $1,000.
Fine For Conspiracy.
Section s-If two or more persons
IN, r,Iu
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 to
levy war against them. or to oppose
by force the authority thereof. or by
force to prevent hinder or delay the
execution of any law OF the United
States or by force to seize, take or pos
sess any property OF the United States
contrary TO the authority thereof they
shall each be fined not more than
5000, or imprisoned not more than
six years. or both
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
ment Of the United States. or its mill
tary or naval forces.
1.-The acquisition, use, or disposal
of any property with knowledge that
it is to be, or with intent that 1t should
be Of assistance to the enemy in their
hostilities against the United States.
Statements Included.
The performance of any act or the
publication Of statements or informa-
ton which will give or supply, in any
way. aid and comfort to the enemies
Of the United States.
1.-The direction. aiding, counselins,
or countenancing Of any Of the fore
going acts
Such acts are to be reasonable,
whether committed within the United
States or elsewhere; whether COM
mitted by citizen Of the United
States or by an alien domiciled or re-
siding In the United States, :;.aas.:rch
as resident aliens, rs well as citizens,
owe allegiance to the United States
and its laws.
ANY such citizen or alien who has
Knowledge of the commission 0f such
acts and conceals and does not make
kunyn Tho foctc RI the offfcia1a named