Arizona republican., 1917-02-04
NEEDED LAWS
 GIVEN INIT PETUS
 BY CONGRESS
IReplbIlcan A. ?. Leassd Wirel

Republican A. ?. leaeSd WireI
 WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-Steps to strengthen the federal statutes under which prosecutions may be brought | against those committing offenses in the United States to further the inter- ests of foreign governments were has tened in congress today after the break with Germany was announced. | Seventeen bills submitted by the de- partment of justice several months ago to facilitate prosecution of such offend CTS were approved by d senate sub committee when word came that Pres ident Wilson wanted action .n them hastened, and they probably will go to the floor of the senate early next week.
 The more important Dill whose pass age $ soughl by the administration because the justice department fre- quentIy has found itself handicapped during the past few months by insuf- ficient authority, would make the fol- lowing provisions: Authorize collectors of customs "at any time during war between foreign rationS' to inspect any private vessel within American Jurisdiction for evil dence of attempts to violate the status of the United States or the law of the ! nations.
 ! provide five years imprisonment for their forgery or falsely representing the facts to obtain one.
 Authorize the arrest and return to the proper place of any officer or man 1 belonging to the forces of a belligerent 1 who has left his place of internment | in this country, and make it a crime | ger anyone to aid or entice an interned | person to leave
 Makes il crime punishable with five l years Imprisonment for any person 1 willfully and knowingly to make my untrue statement either orally or in writing under oath Before any person authorized and empowered to admiris- | ter oaths about the "affiant has FnoHl- | edge or reason to believe will or may | be. used to influence measures or con- l duct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent of any foreign l government in relation to any dispute 1 or controversy with the United States or with view or intent to defeat any measure or action by the government 1 of the United States in relation to such ] dispute or controversy"
 Prescribe new regulations for the l issue and service of search warrants 1 and warrants for seizure and detention ] of property so as to permit issue of { such warrants to any authorized civil, naval or military officer of the United States upon proper application to Q court or the United States commits sioner where the facts show ground for belief that the law of nations or treaty | obligations or United States statutes are violated
 Authorize use by the president of l the United States of the land and naval l forces to enforce obligations of the | United States under the laws of na- l tions," to restrict aliens in the United States from acting as the diplomatic agents of a foreign government except when accredited.
 Punish with five years Imprisonment any person who falsely assumes or pretends to be a diplomat. consul or other official. or agent of foreign 1 government in order to defraud any person or obtain from any person any
 paper. document, or other valuable thing"
 Make more stringent the prohibitions against export of arms to be used against a friendly nation and those against revolutionary conspiracies | against a friendly nation fomented in this country.
 Empower the president to withhold clearance from any vessel, domestic or foreign, or to forbid it's departure where there is reasonable cause to believe such vessel is carrying arms or sup plies to foreign beligerent in viola tion of the obligations of the United ! States.
 Punish with 10 years imprisonment 1 any person setting fire to, tamperiug 1 with the motive power of, or placing bombs on any ship within the United l States or of American registry on the
 high seas with intent to injure the
 vessel or her cargo or of persons on | board.
 Impose ten years imprisonment for | wilful interference with commerce by injury or destruction to places where the instruments of such commerce arc
 stored, produced or manufactured.