Mexico Missouri message., 1917-04-19
President Calls Upon Americans
TO Support Measures OF
Government.
ALIENS MUST KEEP PEACE
All Who Fail to Conduct Themselves
Properly Are Liable to Restraint
and other Penalties-Execu-
tive Calls for Volunteers
for Both the Navy
and Army.

Washington, April THE president
on Friday signed a proclamation for
mally declaring a state of war be-
tween the United States and Germany.
In the proclamation he called upon
American citizens to give support to
oil measures Of the government.
Text Of War Proclamation.
The war proclamation issued by
President Wilson is as follows:
"Whereas, the congress of the Unit
co Etates, in the exercise of the con-
stitutional authority vested in them,
have resolved by joint resolution of
TIE senate and house of representa-
tiives bearing date this day, that a
state of war between the United States
and the imperial German government,
which has been thrust upon the Unit
ed States is hereby formally declared:
Whereas, it is provided by section
4067 of the revised statutes as fol-
lows:
Whenever there is declared war
between the United States and any
foreign nation or government or any
invasion or predatory incurslon Is per-
petrated, attempted or threatened
against the territory of the United
States by any foreign nation or gov
eminent and the president makes pub
lie proclamation of the event, all ma
tives, citizens, denlzens or subjects Of
hostile nation or government being
male of the age of fourteen years and
upward who shall be within the Unit
ed States and not actually naturaliaed
shall be liable to be apprehended, re-
strained, secured and removed as alien
enemies.
1.-The president is authorized In any
such event by his proclamation there
Of or other public acts to direct 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 permitted"
whereas, by sections 4068, 1868
and 1910 Of the revised statutes, fur
Their provision is made relative to
alien enemies:
4NOng VIII
son, president Of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim to all
whom IL may concern that a state of
war exists between the United States
and the imperial German government
and do specially direct all officers
civil or military, of the United States
that they exercise vigilance and zeal
In the discharge of the duties incident
to such n state Of war, and DO, more
over, earnestly appeal to all American
citizens that they in loyal devotion to
their country, dedicated from its foun
dalton to the principles Of liberty anC
Justice, uphold the laws Of the lanC
and give undivided and willing support
to those measures which may be adopt
ed by the constitutional authorities II
prosecuting the war to q successful
issue and in obtaining a secure anC
Just peace.
Aliens Enjoined to Keep Peace.
"And, acting under and by vir
tue of the authority vested in me b!
the Constitution of the United States
and the said sections of the revised
statues, do hereby further proclaim
and direct that the conduct to b.
observed on the part of the Unitet
] States toward all natives, citizens
, 6enizens or subjects of Germany, be
ing male. Of the age of fourteen year
and upward, who shall be within tn
I United States and not actually natur
I allied, who for the purpose of thi
proclamation and under such section
Of the revised statutes are termet
alien enemies, shall be as follows:
n "All alien enemies are enjolned I
preserve the peace toward the Unitet
: 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 there
| Of, and to refrain from actual hosd
lty or giving information, aid or con
h fort to the enemies of the Unite
States and to comply strictly with tn
regulations which are hereby or whic
may be from time to time promulgate
by the president, and 30 long as the
shall conduct themselves in accOrt
i ance with law they shall be undii
turbed in the peaceful pursuit Of thel
D lives and occupations and be accort
e ed the consideration due to all peac'