The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-04-19
PRESIDENT WARNS AGAINST
COMMISSION OF TREASON
Issues Procla alton tina, Perpetrators
Of Acts Inimical 10 Government VIII
he Punished. as will Persons who
Shield such Conspir ators.


Shield such Conspirztors.
Washington. April i6--An persons
IN the United States. citizens and
aliens, are warned In a proclamation
issucd today by President Wilson that
treasonable acts or attempts TO shield
those committing such acts viii be
vigorously prosecuted by the govern
ment.
The proclamation defines treason
citing statutes. provisions Of the con
stitution and decisions Of the court,
and declares that the acts described
will be regarded as treasonable wheth-
or committed within the borders OF
the United States or elsewhere.
Far-reaohing importance attaches
TO the direction Of the warning 10
aliens and the declaration that resi-
dent aliens as well as citizens OF
allegiance 10 the United States are
equally subject to the laws against
treason and like crimes.
At war, the United States is IN
very different position from neutral.
Bomb plotters now may be gripped
with an iron hand. Not only are con-
spirators themselves subject to heavy
penalties but any one, even German
resident who has knowledge Of trea-
sonable acts and fails TO make known
the facts to the authorities, can be
sent to prison for seven years ana
fned $1,000 for misprision Of treason.
The Full Proclamation
The presidents proclamation fol-
lows
WHEREAS, all persons in the
United States, citizens as well as
aliens, should be informed Of the pen
alties which they will incur for any
failure to bear true allegiance to the
United States;
"NoW, THEREFORE, |, Woodrow
Wilson, president of the United
States, hereby issue this proclamation
to call especial attention to the follow
ing provisions Of the constitution and
tbe laws of the United States:
"section 3 of article III Of the
constitution provides in part
"'Treason against the United
States shall consist only in levy
ing war against them or in adher-
ing to their enemies, giving them
aid and comfort
"The criminal code of the Unit
ed States provides;---
"'Seclion l-Whoever owing
allegiance TO the United States
levies war against them or adj
heres TO their enemies, giving
them aid and comfort within the
limited States or elsewhere, is
guilty of treason.
"'Section 2-Whoever is con-
victed of treason shall suffer
death; or, at the discretion OF the
court, shall be imprisoned not less
than five years and fined not more
than $4,000, to be levied on and
collected out of any or all OF his
property, real and personal, OF
which he was the owner at the
time of his committing such trea-
son, any sale or conveyance to the
contrary Notwithstanding; and ev-
cry person so convicted Of treason
shall, moreover, be incapable OF
holding any office under the Unit
ed States.
Must Report Conspiracy
"'Section 3-Whoever owing
allegiance to the United States
and having knowledge of the COM
mission of any treason against
them conceals or does not as soon
as NAV be 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 partic-
ular state, is guilty of misprislon
of treason and shall be imprisoned
not more than seven years and
fined not more than $1,000.
"'Section elf 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 govern
ment Of the United States or to
levy war against them or to op-
pose by force the authority there
of or to prevent, hinder or delay
the execution Of any law OF the
United States, or by force to
seize, take or possess any proper
ty of the United States contrary
10 the authority thereof, they
shall each be fined not more than
$1,000 or Imprisonment not more
than six years or both.
"The courts Of the United Stat
have stated the following to be trea
,nahle.--