Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-04-11
Full Text Of Official
Declaration.
MUST PRESERVE PEACE
Warning Issued to Subjects Of
Hostile Nation Who Are Res.
identS Of United States.


identS Of United States.
Washington, April g. After sign
ing the resolution declaring that a
state of war exists between the United
States and Germany President Wilson
issued proclamation to the people
of the country announcing that fact
and issuing regulations. The procla'
nation reads:
Whereas, the congress of the Unit.
ed States. in the exercise of the con-
stitutional authority vested in them,
have resolved by joint resolution of the
senate and house of representatives,
that state of war between the United
States and the imperial German gov
ernment which has been thrust upon
the United States is hereby formally
declared.
Whereas, it is provided by section
4061 of the Revised Statutes as fol
lows:
Whenever there is declared a war
between the United States and any
foreign nation or government, and the
president makes public proclamation
of fhes event, all natives, citizens, -deni-,
zens yor subjects of the hostile nation
or government, being of the age OF
fourteen years or upwards, who shall
be within the United States and not
actually naturalized, shall be liable to
be apprehended, restrained, secured
and removed as alien enemies.
Cites Authority to Regulate.
"The president is authorized in any
such event by his proclamation there
of, or any public acts, to declare the
conduct to be observed on the part of
the United States toward the aliens
who become so liable the manner and
degree of the restraint to which they
shall be subject, and in what cases
and upon what security their residence
shall be permitted, and to provide for
the removal of those who, not being
permitted to reside within the United
States, refuse or neglect to depart
therefrom, and to establish any other
regulations which are found necessary
In the premises and for the public
safety.
Whereas, by sections 4068, 1869 and
4070 of the Revised Statutes. further
provision is made relative to alien
| enemies.
"Now therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson,
president of the United States OF
America, do hereby proclaim to all
whom 1t may concern that state of
war exists between the United States
and the imperial German government
and do specifically instruct all Off
cials, civil or military, Of the United
States that they exercise vigilance and
zeal in the discharge of the duties in
do. moreover, earnestly appeal to all
American citizens that they in loyal
devotion to their country, dedicated
from it's foundation to the principles
of liberty and justice, uphold the laws
of the land and give undivided and will
ing support to those measures which
may be adopted by the constitutional
authorities in prosecuting the war to
successful issue and insuring just
peace.
Prescribes Alien Conduct.
"And acting under and by virtue OF
the authority vested in me by the Con-
stitution of the United States and the
said sections of the Revised Statutes.
do hereby further proclaim and di-
rect that the, conduct to be observed
on the part. of the United States to-
ward all natives, citizens, denizens or
subjects, Of Germany being males OF
the age OF fourteen years and upwards,
who shall be within, the United States
and not actually naturalized. who for
the purposes of this proclamation and
under such sections of the Revised
Statutes are termed alien enemies,
shall be a. follows:
'All alien enemies are enJoined to
preserve the peace toward the United
States and % refrain from crime
against the public safety and from
violating the laws of the United States
and of the states and territories
thereof, and to refrain from actual
hostility. or giving information, aid or
comfort to the enemies of the United
States. and TO comply strictly With