The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1917-04-21
TREASONABLE ACTS DEFINED

All persons III the United States, citizens and aliens,
warned by proclamation issued by President Wilson that
reasonable acts attempts to shield those committing such
acts will be vigorously prosecuted by the government
The Presidents proclamation reads:
Whereas all persons in the United States citizens az we'll
aliens should be informed of the penalties which they will
incur for any failure to bear true allegiance the United
States.
Now, therefore, l. Woodrow Wilson, President of the
United States hereby issue this Proclamation to call especial
attention to the following provisions of the Constitution and
the laws of the United States:
Section to Article Ill of the Constitution provides in
parreason against the United States shall consist only
in evyng against them in adherng 10 their enemies
giving them aid and comfort"
The criminal code of the United States provides:
Section Whoever. owing allegiance to the United
States eye against them adheres to their enemies
giving them aid and comfort within the United States
elsewhere, is guilty of treason.
Section 2-WhOever IL convicted of treason shall suffer
death or at the discretion OF the court shall be imprisoned
not less than five years and fined not less than ten thousand
dollars to be levied and collected out of any all of his
property real and personal of which he the at
the time of committing such treason any sale conveyance
to the contrary Notwithstanding and every person so con-
victed shall moreover be incapable of holding any Office
under the United States
Section 3-Whoeyer. owing allegiance TO the United
States and having knowledge Of the commission Of trea
against them conceas and does not a as may be-
disclose and make known the TO the President to
Judge of the United States to the TO
Judge justice of particular state Ii guilty Of mis-
prison of treason and shall be imprisoned not than
years and fined not than thousand dollars.
Section eff two persons In any state terri
tory any place subject to the jurisdiction Of the United
States conspre to overthrow put down. to destroy by
force the of the United States to levy
against them to oppose by force the authority thereof
by force prevent hinder delay the execution Of any
law of the United States by force seize take possess
any property of the United States contrary to the authority
thereof they shall each be fined not than five thousand
dollars. or imprisoned not more than six years both
The courts Of the United States have stated the following
acts to be reasonable:
The attempted of any force violence against
the government of the United States its military naval
forces;
The acquisition, use, disposal of any property with
knowledge that it to be- with intent that shall be- of
assistance the enemy their hoses against the United
States;
The performance Of any act the publication of state
ments or information which will give supply in any way
aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States;
The direction aiding conseng OF countenancng of any
of the foregoing acts.
Such acts held to be reasonable whether committed
within the United States elsewhere whether committed
by citizen Of the United States b alien domiciled
residing in the United States nasmuch resident aliens
az we'll as citizens allegiance to the United States and
it's laws.
ANY such citizen alien who has knowledge of the
mission Of such and eoneea and does not make known
the facts to the officials named in section of the penal code
is guilty of misprison Of treason
And hereby proclaim and all citizens of the United
States and all aliens owing allegiance to the government of
the United States to abstain from committing any and all
acts which would constitute violation of any of the laws
herein forth and further proclaim and warn all persons
who may commit such acts, that they will be vigorously
prosecuted therefor
In witness whereof have hereunto set my hand and
cause the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington this sixteenth day OF
April in the year Of Lord thousand nine hundred
and seventeen and of the Independence of the United States
of America the one hundred and forty first.
WOODROW WILSON.
Nv the President