Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-04-25
WILSON WARNS
j. s. TRAITORS OF
DEATH PENALTY
Proclamation by the President
Cites Criminal Code.
BARS ALL EID TO THE ENEMY
Laws and Constitution Apply TO ALL
Aliens as Well as Citizens Owe Al
leuiance to Nation--Conceal-
ment of Crimes TO Be
Punished.

Punished.
Washington. April 17.-AH persons
IN the United States, citizens and
aliens, are warned in proclamation
Issued on Monday by President Wilson
that reasonable acts or attempts TO
shield those committing such acts will
be vigorously prosecuted by the gov
ernment.
Text Of Proclamation.
The presidents proclamation fol-
lows:
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. l. Woodrow Wilson.
president of the United States, here
by issue this proclamation to call espe-
cial attention TO the following provi-
sionS of the Constitution and the laws
of the United States:
'Section 3 of article 3 of the Con-
stitution provides in part: Treason
against the United States shall con-
sist only in levying war against
them, or in adhering to their enc
mics, giving them aid and comfort.
Cites Criminal Code.
THE criminal code of the United
States provides:
glance TO the United States, levies
war against them or adheres to their
enemies, giving them aid and COM
fort within the United States or else
where. is guilty of treason.
Section Whoever is convicted
of treason shall suffer death or. ar
the discretion of the court, shall be
imprisoned not less than five years
and fined not less than $4,000, TO be
levied on and collected out of any
or all of his property.
Section 3-WhOever, owing allie
glance to the United States and hav-
ing knowledge of the commission of
any treason against them conceals
and does not. as soon as he may.
disclose and make known the same to
the president or to some judge of
the United States, or to the governor
or to some judge or justice of a par
ticular state, is guilty of misprisOn
of treason and shall be imprisoned
not more than seven years, and fined
not more than $1,000.
Section 6. If two or more persons
In any state or territory, or in any
place subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States, cOnspire to overthrow,
put down, or to destroy by force the
government of the United States, or
to levy war against them. or TO oppose
by force the authority thereof, or by
force to prevent hinder, or delay the
execution Of any law of the United
States, or by force to seize, take, or
possess any property of the United
States contrary to the authority there
of, hey shall each be fined not more
than 5000, or Imprisonment not more
than six years or both
Rulings of Courts.
1.-THE courts Of the United States
nave sNa'Sh tiC AoilONthG ACTS 10 De
REASONABLE:
''The use Oh attempted use of any
force or violence against the govern
ment of the United States or it's mill
tary or nave! forces.
"The acquisition, use or disposal of
any property with knowledge that ii
Is to be, or with intent that IL shall
be Of assistance 20 the enemy in their
hostilities against the United States
1.-The performance of any act or the
publication of statements or informa-
ton which win give or supply, in any
way, aid and comfort to the enemies
IF the United States.
"The direction, aiding, counseling or
countenancing of any of the foregoing
acts.
Resident Aliens Liable.
"Such acts are held TO be treason
BILE, whether committed within the
| United States or elsewhere; whether
committed by person of the United
| States or by an alien domiciled as re-
siding in the United States. inasmuch
as resident aliens, as well as citizens,
owe allegiance to the United States
| and it's laws.
ANY such citizen or alien who has
knowledge of the commission of such
acts and conceals and does not make
known the facts to the officials named
In section 8 of the penal code is guilty
of mlsprison of treason.
"Ard l hereby proclaim and warn
nal citizens of the United States. and
all aliens owing allegiance to the gov
eminent of the United States, to alb
stain from committing any and all
acts which would constitute a viola
ton Of any of the laws herein set
forth; and l further proclaim and
warn all persons who may commit such
acts that they will be vigorously prose-
cuted therefor.
WOODROW WILSON.
sBy the President. Robert Lansing.
Secretary OF State"