The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-17
Resident Aliens as Well as
Citizens Declared to Be
Subject to Law.
WHAT CONSTITUTES
TREASON MADE CLEAR
Anyone Knowing Of Treas
enable Acts Who Doesn't
Tell Officials Guilty.

washington. April l6.-All persons
in the United states, citizens and
aliens. are warned in n proclamation
issued today by President Wilson that
reasonable acts or attempts to shield
those committing such acts will he
vigorously prosecuted by the govern
ment.
The proclamation defines treason.
citing statutes, provisions of the con-
stitntion and decisions of the courts
and declares that the acts described
will be regarded as reasonable. wheth-
or 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 ale
glance to the United States and
therefore are equally subject to the
laws against treason and like crimes.
Not only are conspiratars them
selves subject to heavy penalties, but
any one, even a German resident. who
has knowledge of treasonable acts 7nd
fails to notify the authorities may be
sent to prison for seven years and
fined $1,000 for misprlsion Of trea son.
Proclamation.
The presidents proclamation fol
lows:
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
to bear true allegiance to the United
States:
Now, therefore. 7, Woodrow Will
son, president of the United States,
hereby issue this proclamation to call
especial attention to the following pro-
visions of the constitution and the laws
of the United States:
Section Of article III of the con-
stitution provides, in part:
"'Treason against the United states
shall consist only in levying war
against them. or adhering to their en-
emies giving them aid and comfort
Commercial Code.
THE commercial code of the United
States provides:
"'Section Whoever. owing allie
glance 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
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 ten thousand dol
lars to be levied on and collected out
of any of his property, real and per-
sonal. of which he was the owner at
the time of committing such treason,
any sale or conveyance notwithstand-
ing, and every person so convicted of
treason snail. moreover be incapable
of holding any office under the United
states.
Concealing knowledge.
"'Section 3.-Whoever, owing allie
SEiItt W wv tHiteu anu nav
ing knowledge of the commission OF
any treason against them. conceals
and does not, as soon as may be. dis
close and make known the same to the
president or to some judge of the
United States. or to the governor o,
to some judge or justice Of n particn
lar state. is guilty Of misprision OF
treason and shall be imprisoned not
more than seven years and fined no
more than one Thousand dollars.
"'Scction eff two or more person.
in any state or territory or in any
place subject to the jurisdiction of W
states. conspire TO overthrow. pu
down or destroy by force the govern
ment of the United States or to lev!
war against them, or to oppose h.
force the authority thereof, or by force
prevent, hinder or delay the execution
of any law of the United States. o
by force to seize, take or possess an,
property of the United States cOntrar
to the authority thereof. they shal
each be fined not more than five thou
sand dollars or imprisoned not NOR
than six years, or both
"The courts of the United State
lContinued on Page Thrse.l