The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-04-17
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AGAINST ACTS
OF TREASON
Persons Guilty Of InimiCal Deeds
will Be Summarily Punished
DEATH MAY BE PENALTY
Germans Who Conceal Plots Against
Government May Be Imprisoned
for Long Terms.

Washington, April 17.--All persons
in the United States, citizens and
aliens, are warned in a proclamation
issued yesterday by President Wilson,
that treasonable acts or attempts to
shield those committing such acts
will be vigorously prosecuted by the
government. The proclamation de-
fines treason, citinsi statutes, proyi-
sion of the constitution and .deci-
sions of the courts, sand declares the
acts described viii be regarded as
reasonable whether committed with
in the borders of the United States
or elsewhere.
Far-reaching Importance attaches
to the direction of the warning to
aliens and the declaration that resi-
dent aliens as well as citizens owe al
legiance to the United States" and
therefore 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
but any OiiCs N'NAA - ~. AAae.~
resident, who has knowledge of treas
enable acts and fails to make known
the fact TO the authorities, can be sent
to prison for seven years and fined
$1,000 for mispiition of treason.
The presidents proclamation fol-
lowg:-
Whereas, all persons in the United
States, citizens as well as aliens, would
be informed of the penalties which
they win incur FOR any failure to bear
true allegiance to the United States;
Now. therefore, J. Woodrow Will
son, 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 of article 3 of the con-
stitution provides, in part. Treason
against the United States shall con-
sist only in leyying war against them,
or in adherlng to their enemies, CIV
ing them aid and comfort
THE criminal code of the United
States provides:--
Section l. Whoever, owing al
legiance to the United States. levies
war against them or adheres to their
enemies giving them aid and comfort
within the United States or elsewhere
is guilty of treason.
Section 2. Whoever is 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 $4,000, to be
levied on and collected out of any or
all of his property, real and personal.
and sale or conveyance to the contra
ry Notwithstanding and every person
so convicted of treason shall, more
over, be incapable of holding any of
fee under the United States,
Section g. Whoever, owing al
legiance to the United States and hav-
ing knowledge of the commission of
any treason against them, conceals
and does not, as soon as may be, dis
close and make known the same the
president or to some judge of the Unit
ed States or to the governor or to
some judge or justice of a particular
state, is guilty of misprision of treason
and shall be imprisoned not more
than seven years, and fined not more
than $1,000.
Section g. If 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
government of the United States or to
levy war against them or to oppose
by force the authority thereof, or by
force to prevent, hinder, or delay the
execution of any law of the United
States. or by force to seize, take, or
possess any property of the United
States contrary to the authority there
Of, they shall each be fined not more
than $4,000, or imprisoned not more
than six years, or both
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
tary or naval forces;
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