New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-21
Senate Passes Spy Bill
Aimed at German PlOtterS
aw Would Halt Propaganda and Theft OF Defence Plans
Lansing Asks Law to Permit Ship
Seizures by President

notification 20 and consent Of the
United States government.
The fourth bill seeks 10 prevent COIN
age or the printing Of currency or
bonds within the United States for a
revolutionary government which has
not been recognized By the United
States government.
Spy Bill Is Drastic
The Administration spy bill as passed
takes in fourteen separate measures
suggested by the Department OF Justice
aud was put through virtually un-
changed, despite the opposition Of sew
eral Senators, who declared its terms
so stringent as to imperil American lib
erty of speech and Of the press. Il has
not passed the House.
The spy section is farreaching m
character, making u a crime punish
able with two years imprisonment or
$4,000 fine 10 approach or enter any
place connected with the national de-
fierce 10 unlawfully obtain information
or to make photographs, blueprints,
plans, etc, Of things connected with
such defence or to dispose Of a code or
signal book or model or anything else
Of national defence 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 twenty years imprIson-
ment and in time Of war 10 life.
Any person who in war time, with
the intent that il shall be communi-
Gated to the enemy, shall collect,
record. publish or communicate or at
tempt 20 elicit any information with
respect 10 the movement, numbers,
etc, OF the armed forces Of the United
States or its war materials or It's plans
Of military or naval operations, "or
any other information relating 10 the
public defence or calculated to be,
shall be punished with death, or by q.
fine and not more than thirty years
IMPRISONMENT. This penalty is reduced
70 three years Imprisonment where
there is no intent that the information
be communicated 20 an enemy but
where it might be useful to such
enemy.
Could Stop Arms Exports
The President is given arbitrary
mower 10 designate other things and
places in addition TO those specifically
named which shall be included IN the
term national defence. =.
The bill includes sections making II
a crime to make untrue statements
under oath 10 influence the conduct OF
a foreign government IN any dispute OF
controversy with the United States; 70
punish the impersonation of foreign
government officials; TO regulate the
issuance Of passports and punish their
forgery and the conduct and move
ments OF iuterned soldiers or sailors.
Another important section authorizes
the President to seize, detain or con-
denim munitions Of war and ships car
rving or about 10 carry them, destined
TO an enemy Of nation with which the
United States is at peace, and IN 80
doing he is empowered TO use the army
and navy.
Regulation Of the anchorage and
movements Of foreign ships IN the wa
ters Of the United States in case OF
national emergency rs provided IN an
other section. with power TO place
guards on such ships 70 prevent dam
age. II is made punishable with two
years Imprisonment for any person
commanding or in charge of any pri-
va.e foreign or domestic ship 10 de-
stroy or injure It or 10 permit 1t 10
be used as a place Of resort by con-
spirators against the United States or
its treaties or obligations.