Middletown transcript., 1917-04-14
PRESIDENTS WAR
PROCLAMATION
Notification That War Is on
Flashed BY Wireless to
all Naval Vessels
and Stations.

al N0v0l uVOoVSS
and Stations.
Washington.-Goo Friday, Of the
year 1917, will be memorable In the
history Of this country, for a: IS min
utes past / o'clock. President Wilson
signed the joint resolution by which
this country declAres war with Ger
many.
The instant Mr.. Wilson's pen left
the paper a messenger rushed from his
Office and gave the signal to the Navy
Department. The next moment tele-
gram over the signature Of the Secre-
tary Of tho Navy was sent to every
naval station and feet commander In
every part Of the world where there
is an American ship, announcing the
declaration Of war. This means, Of
course, that every American ship now
has her decks cleared for action for
the possibilities Of meeting German
submarine or a German raider. The
warships Of the German Navy are as
sembled at Kiel.
Defense against the enemy without
and within was organized at once. The
President and his Cabinet, at their
first war meeting, went over war plans
of q magnitude such as the United
States, in all its history, has never
known.
Washington.-The President this af-
ternoon issued the following procla-
nation to the American people, de-
claring that state of war exists be-
tween the United States and the I'm
perial German Government:
"By the President Of the United
States.
"A proclamation.
Whereas, The Congress Of the
United States, in the exercise Of the
constitutional authority vested in
them, have resolved, by joint reso-
luton Of the Senate and House Of
Representatives bearing date this day,
that the state Of war between the
United States and the Imperial Ger
man government, which has been
thrust upon the United States, is here
by formally declared
whereas, 1t Is provided by section
four thousand and sixty-seven Of the
revised statutes, as follows: When
ever there is declared war between
the United States and any foreign
nation or government, or any inva-
sion or predatory incursion is perpe-
trated, attempted. or threatened
against the territory Of the United
States, by any foreign nation or gov
ernment, and the President makes
public proclamation Of the event, all
natives, citizens. denizens, or sub
1ects Of the hostile nation or govern
ment, being males Of tho age Of four
teen years and 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. The
President Is authorized, in any such
event, by his proclamation thereof, or
other public act, to direct the conduct
to be observed, on the part Of the
United States, toward the aliens who
become so liable; the manner and de-
gree Of the restraint to which they
shall be subject, and in what cases,
and upon what security their resi-
dence shall be permitted, and to pro-
vide for the removal of those who not
being permitted to reside within the
United States, refuse or neglect to de-
part therefrom; and to establish any
other regulations which are found nee
essary in the premises and for the
public safety;
Whereas, by sections 4,068, 4,069 and
1910 Of the Revised Statutes further
provision Is made relative to alien
enemies.
Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson
President Of the United States oil
America, do hereby proclaim to ali
whom 1t may concern that a state
Of war exists between the United
States and the Imperial German gov
arnment; and do specially direct al
officers, civil or military, Of the United
States that they exercise vigilance and
zeal in the discharge Of the duties in
cident to such state Of war; and
do, moreover, earnestly appeal to al
American citizens that they, In loya
devotion to their country, dedicated
from its foundation to the principles
Of liberty and justice, uphold the law
Of the land and give undivided ant
willing support to those measures
which may be adopted by the consti
tutional authorities in prosecuting tn
war to a successful issue and in oh
tanning a secure and just peace; and
acting under and by virtue Of the au
thority vested in me by the Constitu
ton Of the United States and sail
sections Of the Revised Statutes, 1 d.
hereby further proclaim and direc
that the conduct to be observed Of
the part Of the United States towar'
all natives, citizens, denizens or sui
1ects Of Germany, being males Of tn
age Of IA years and upward. who shal
be within the United States and no
actually naturalized, who for the pull
pose Of this proclamation and unde
such section Of the Revised Statute
are termed alien enemies, shall be a
follows:
"AII alien enemies are enjoined t
preserve the peace towards the Unite
States and to refrain from Grim
against the public safety and fror
violating the laws Of the United State
and Of the states and territories ther.
of. and to refrain from actual hostilit