The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-02-22
DRASTIC SPY BILL
PASSED BY SENATE
Death Penalty Provided in U. S.
Measure.
NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE
In Time Of War Powers Given to Pres
ident Would Be Largely Increased
Lansing Urges Com
mittee to Act.

Washington, Feb. 21.-The admins
tratlon espionage bill, providing Sc
we're penalties for spying on matters
Of national defense and Furnishing con-
spiracies to violate American neutral
ity, was passed by the senate by a
vote of 60 to 10.
The bill as passed takes in II sep
arate measures suggested by the de-
partment Of justice and was put
through virtually unchanged. 1t has
not passed the house.
Secretary Lansing and Assistant At
torney General Warren spurred the
senate judiciary committee to pass
four other bills, one empowering the
president to use the army and navy
to enforce neutrality.
Too Drastic, Charge.
Those voting no on the espionage
bill were Senators Borah, Cummins,
Gronna, Kenyon. LaFollette, Norris
and Works, Republicans, and Lane,
Lee and Vardaman, Democrats.
Cummins led The opposition. de-
claring the bill too drastic. He sub
mitted IA amendments, which were
killed. He said the government could
suppress newspapers, prevent debate
In congress-it might even be crime
for two citizens to discuss military
information.
Spy Section Far-Reachng.
The spy section is far-reaching in
character, making it crime, punish
able with two years of Imprisonment
or $4,000 fine, to approach or enter
any place connected with the national
defense, unlawfully obtain informa-
ton, or to make photographs, blue
prints, plans, etc, of things connect
ed with such defense, or TO dispose of
n code or signal book or model or any
thing else of rational defense value.
Where these things are done for a
foreign government in time of peace,
whether recognized or unrecognized"
by the United States, the penalty is
increased to 20 years Imprisonment,
and in time of war for life. Any per-
son who, in war time, with the intent
that it shall be communicated to the
enemy, shall collect, record, publish
or communicate or attempt to elicit
any information" with respect to the
movement, numbers, etc, of the armed
forces of the United States or its war
materials or its plans Of military or
naval operations cor any other infor-
nation relating to the public defense
or calculated to be- shall be punished
with death, or by Il fine and not more
than 30 years imprisonment
This penalty is reduced 10 three
years imprisonment where there is
no intent that the information be COM
municated to an enemy, but where it
might be useful to such enemy.
President Can Widen Scope.
The president is given arbitrary
power to designate things and places
In addition to those specifically named
which shall be included in the term
national defense.
Another important section author
ICES the president to seize, detain or
carrying or about 20 carry them, des-
tined TO an enemy. to a nation with
which the United States is at peace,
and In so doing he is empowered to
use the army and navy.
Regulation Of the anchorage and |
movements of foreign ships in the wa
tiers of the United States in case of
national emergency Is provided in an
other section, with power given to
place guards on such ships to prevent |
damage.
1t is made punishable with two |
years imprisonment for any person
commanding or In charge Of any pri-
vate foreign or domestic ship to de- |
stroy or injure it or to permit 1t to be |
used as place of resort by consplra-
tors against the United States or its |
treaties or obligations.