The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1917-04-20
PRESIDENT WARNS
AGAINST TREASON
Proclamation Of Far Reaching
Importance Issued by the
Nations Executive.
CONSTITUENT ACTS DEFINED
Citizens As Well AS Aliens Notified
That Vigorous Prosecution VIII
Follow Reasonable Acts,

Washington, April 17.-Far reaching
importance attaches to the direction
of the warning to aliens and warning
that resident aliens as well as citizens
owe allegiance to the United States
"and therefore are equally subject to
the laws against treason and like
crimes"
At war, the United States is in a
very different position from a neutral.
Bomb plotters now may be gripped
with an iron hand. Not only are con
spirators themselves subject to heavy
penalties but anyone, even a German
resident who has knowledge Of treas.
enable acts and fails to make known
the facts to the authorities, may be
sent to prison for seven years and
fined $1,000 for misprision of treason.
The Presidents proclamation fol-
lows:
Whereas, as persons in the United
States, citizens as well as aliens,
should be informed Of the penalties
which they will incur for any failure
to bear true allegiance to the United
States; now, therefore, l, Woodrow
Wilson, President of the United States,
hereby issue this proclamation to call
especial attention to the following pro-
visions of the constitution and the
laws of the United States:
Section 8 of Article III of the con
stitution, provides, in part: Treason
against the United States shall con.
sist only in levying war against them,
or in adhering to their enemies, Civ
ing them aid and comfort.
How Courts Define Treason.
"The courts of the United States
have stated the following acts to be
REASONABLE:
"The use or attempted use Of any
force or violence against the govern
ment Of the United States. or its mill
fary or naval forces.
THE acquisition. use or disposal Of
any property with knowledge that it is
to be. or with intent that it shall be
of assistance to the enemy in their
hostilities against the United States.
1.-THE performance of any act or the
publication OF statements or informa-
ton which will give or supply In any
way comfort to the enemies Of the
United States.
1.-THE direction, aiding, counseling,
or countenancing Of any of the fore
going acts.
Applies to Other Than Citizens.
Such acts are held to be treason
able whether committed by a citizen
of the United States or by an alien
domiciled or residing in the United
States inasmach as resident aliens, as
we'll as citizens, owe allegiance to the
United States and its laws.
ANY such citizen or alien who has
knowledge Of the commission Of such
acts and conceals and does not make
known the facts to the officials named
in Section 3 of the Penal Code, is
guilty of misprision or treason.
"And ! hereby proclaim and warn
all citizens Of the United States and
all aliens ewing allegiance to the gov.
eminent of the United States to alb
stain from committing any and all
acts which would constitute a viola
ten Of any of the laws herein set
forth; and further proclaim and
warn all persons who may commit
such acts that they will be vigorously
prosecuted therefor.
"In witness whereof, / have here
unto sat my hand and caused the seal
of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington
this 18th day of April in the year Of
BUR Lord. One Thousand Nine Hun
bred and Seventeen and Of the indie
pendence Of the United States Of
America, the one hundred and forty
first. WOODROW WILSON.
For the President. Robert Lansing
Secretary Of State"
Revenue Problem to Congress.
Washington. April 16.-Administra
ton suggestions as to possible new
sources Of taxation through which L
raise approximately one.half OF the es
timated cost Of the first year Of tn,
war, or s1yS07. 100000. were submit
ted by Secretary McAdoo tonight t
the Senate finance and the HOUSE
ways and means committees. Tit
other half Of the cost Is to be pro
vided by 100000 900 OF the bondi
authorized by the war revenue bill
passed Saturday by The House. anl
which Is expected to pass the senatl
this week.