The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-21


Washington Feb. 20--The admin-
istratioh bill 10 prevent espionage and
conspiracy WIS passed today bv the
senate by q vote Of so to 10
The measures includes fourteen sop
afate measures framed by the dcpart-
moit Of Justice and revised bv the
senate Judiciary committee So that
'H"H 2I-h' be embodied in n .;ingle
statute II Ha- opposed by the Pro-
eredS.Fo element 10 the senate. led by
senate Cumm!na, Of Iowa. When
the vote came. the following senator's
were found aligned against the bill,
hoId-hE jaeF negative position on the
ground idat the measure was sub
VeFSiNc Of the rights Of the citizens OF
inc lnited states ia certain respects.
Senator Cummins' supporters vera
Senators Borah Kenyon. C:ronna.
La Toilette, Norris and Works, Re-
puoilcans. and Lee, of Maryland; Lane
ana Nardaman. Democrats.
The design of the promoter ~ tho
new espionage legislation was to make
The nlted states spy-proof and bon !,
proof, pending the German crisis IL
provides for the punishment OF -.
plonage and acts OF Interference with
the foreign relations and the peu-
tra'ity OF the United States and with
lHe commerce of the United states.
if"~ Drastic bNFOttSsOnS.
II prohibits with heavy pans!ttes
false swearing with 4 vietv- min
enEinS the conduct of foreign govern.
mcnts or To defeat the Interests o.
the mtcj States in a Con@rove} V
with any ioreign nation; fnrbids wit,
penalties the jmpeFsonation of oFa-
cialS Of foreign governments ac-red
ited 10 The United States: take, over
'ne regulating and safeguardine Of
pass ports; authorizes the seizure. de-
tenuon ana condemnation OF arr4x
and munitions designed to be exoort-
ed fer use in violation of the Avs
OF the United States; prohibits and
provides punishment for eounterfeii-
ing The seals Of the departments OF
the federal government or its com
missions provides punishment for
cohSpira"y 10 injUre: or destroy prop-
erty within foreign country: pro-
Vid.s for tn" punishment of vilfat
INJURY or attempted injury Of ycssass
engaged in foreign commerce. resss-
lates the conduct Of vessels in Amar.-
can harborS, regulates the conars,.
OF lnterued soldiers ana 81 or If
beIligerent nations. provides or tie
issuance OF search wa rrants. OF So a5.a.e
and the seizure and detent on Of oro4-
erty thereunGer and empow~.s ito
president better to enforce and matn-
tttit tilt neutrality OF me | Nlt@H
states. The organization OF hlihustc5..
ing expeditions against an. for IN
state is forbidden
More Power For President
The executive branch of the govern.
ment is given much power that here-
tofore has not existed
Four bills of the original administers
ton program remain to be considered
separately. One of these. the measure
granting the president the right TO en-
ploy the land and naval forces of tbs
United states to enforce neutrality BE-
came the occasion for a visit to the
Capitol today by Seer tary' I.anSfA..
and Assistant Acknowledgement Nas-
rem Opponents o. the measure in sts8- q
ed that the bill. as drafted CXI5nGeI
this power to use the army and navy
in such manner as to permit tha press
dent without the consent of con -rcs-
to create state of actual war 49,
where in the world. Secretary t.arE.f
and Chairman Overman ridiculed In
theory and said that the Language ~
the bill WAS absolutely clear aSI tn
the right Of the president to employ
the army and navy In preventing
breaches of neutrality was explicit n
to the United states and (.
territorial waters. viz: the threerai.s
i,,,{t