New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-09

sent in steady streams in as many di.
rections as the United States mail
trains run.
One of the pamphlets is devoted TO
advising the recipient how 70 become a
pacifst, although it is not Labelled tnae
way. Thirty thousand copies OF this
document have been circulated by the
American Union Against Mllltarlsm.
IL processes to give legal advice In the
form of questions and answers. AS o
provocation for its distribution this Is
given by way Of preface:
constitutional rights are being seri-
ously invaded throughout the United
States under pressure of war. Men are
arrested and fined for criticising the
government or the President Halls
are being refused for meetings; meet
ings are broken up; pamphlets and lit,
ersture opposing war are confscatsd
and the authors hailed into court.
Guarantees Suspended"
"In short, the guarantees Of the Fed
eral Constitution have been suspended
at the dictate Of petty officials, who
would compel conformity on the part
of all citizens to their conception OF
war policies. -,
"Such a time Is challenge to all
patriots to maintain the liberties guar
snteed by the Constitution.
"In order that full information may
be readily accessible TO every interest
ed eiti7kn, the American Union Against
Militarisp publishes these facts. Fur
TIER Information about specific issues
can be obtained by addressing an or
ganizstion5 recently formed to protect
these rights in wartime-the American
Legal Defence League, psi Broadway,
New York City. This league is utiliz-
ing committees and organizations in
cities and towns throughout the coun-
try to assist it. and Is securing the
services of lawyers to handle cases
throughout the United States"
The Pacifists Catechism
This Is the catechism:
"Q.-How far can citizens criticise
the conduct of the war, war legislation
and public officials without going be-
yond their constitutional rights? A
The Constitution permits citizens to
eritieise officials. the conduct OF the
war and war legislation, to oppose war
and even to express sympathy with
the enemy. The Constitution is not
suspended by a declaration of war. The
theory Of the First Amendment of the
Constitution is that a citizen may say
anything he pleases, but that he is
liable for sny injury which his utter
erces may cause and may be proceed
ed against for such injury. Congress
may by statute attempt 70 define in
wartime what are seditious or treas
enable utterances, but the validity OF
such legislation Is extremely doubtful.
There are a few legal points in this
connection which need to be made
clear"
20. How far can they (citizens) ex-
press opposition to war in general, or
this war in particular, and how far
can they advocate peaceg A. No man
can be tried for treason for anything
that he may say or write. Treason IS
defined in the United States Constitu-
ton as consisting only in 'a) levylng
war against the United States, or (b)
adhering to their enemies, giving them
aid and comfort. No other act can be
declared TO constitute the offence. Con-
gress can neither extend nor restrict
nor define the crime. L. S. v. Great
house, 20 Fed. Case IS: PC Fed. Case,
1884 Chief Justice Marshall, in de-
fning treason in the trial of Aaron
Burr, said; 1T is not enough to be
leagued in the conspiracy, and that
war be levied, but it is also necessary
to perform a part. That part is the
act of levying war"
Definition OF Sedition
20. How far can they (citizens) ex-