Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-17
In Proclamation Declares
That Conspirators viii
Be Vigorously Prose-
cuted by Government.

tHo3S committing SDcn acts VIII De
vigorously prosecuted by the govern
mcnt
RESIDENT ALIENS EQUALLY
SUBJECT TO L. 9. LAWS
Far-rcachinS importance attaches to
tho direction Of the warning 70 aliens
nd tho Joc.z"a.i ion that resident aliens
as we'll as citizens owe allegiance To
tho United States" and therefore arc
equally subject to tho laws against
treason aud like crimes.
Bomb plottcrs now may be -rippod
with am iron hand. No, only arc con-
sprators themselves subjcc, to heavy
penalties, but any one. even a German
resident. VINO has knowledge OF trca-
sonahlc acts and fails to make known
the facts TO tho authorities, may bc
sent 10 prison for seven years and fined
$1,000 for misprision OF reason.
The Presidents procla nation follows:
Whereas all persons in tho United
states. citizens we'll as aliens
should be informed OF tho penalties
which they viii incur, for any failure
70 bear true alleE lance 10 tho United
states:
Vow. therefore. I. Woodrow Wilson.
President OF the United States hereby
issue this proclamation 10 call especial
attention to the following provisions
Of :he Constitution and the laws Of
the United states:
section to Article Ill OF the
Constitution provides, IN part: 'trea son
against tho United States shall consist
only in levyins war against them. or
In adhcring 10 their enemies. giving
them aid and comfort
TREASON PROVISIONS
IN CRIMINAL CODE
The Criminal Code y. the United
States provides:
Section !. Whoever, owing ailcEi-
ance TO the United States. levies war
against them adheres 10 their
enemies. giving them aid and comfor,
within the United States or elsewhere.
Is guilty OF treason
Section >. Whoever is convicted of
treason shall suffer death: or. at the
discretion OF the court. shall he i'm
prisoncd not less than five years and
fined not less than $4,000. TO he levied
on ana collected out Of any or all OF
his property. real and personal of
which he was the owner at the time
of committing such treason any sale
OF conveyance TO the contrary notwith-
standing. and every person 50 con-
vicicd of treason shall moreover. be
incapable Of holding any Office under
tile United States.
Section ,. Whoever, owing al!cci-
nncr to the United States and having
knowledge of tho commission of any
treason against them. conceals ana
does not soon as may bc. disclose
and make known the same 10 the Prcsi-
dent. or to some judge Of the United
states. or 10 the Governor. or 10 some
b ,1f La
IS guilty Of misprision OF treason, and
hail he imprisoned not moro than seven
years, and fined not more than $1,000
Section &. II TWO or more persons
in any State or Territory. or in any
place subject TO tho Jurisdiction Of tho
United states, conspire TO overthrow,
put down, TO destroy by force the
government Of the United States. or 10
levy war against them. or 10 oppose BY
force the authority thereof, or by force
10 prevent. hinder or delay the cxccu.
lion OF any law OF the United States
or by force to seize. take or possess
any property of the United States CON
trary TO tho authority thereof they
shall each be fined not more than IS. 600
or imprisoned not more than six wears.
or both"
UNREASONABLE ACTS
The courts Of the United States have
stated the following acts 10 be trea-
sonahlc:
The use OF attempted use OF any
force or violence against the govern
ment Of the United States or it's mill
tary or naval forces;
The acquisition, use or disposal Of
any property with knowledge that i,
is TO be. or with intent that il shall
he, of assistance To the enemy i'm their
hostilitics against tho United States:
The performance of any act or the
publication OF statements or informa-
ton which will give or supply, in any
way. aid and comfort 10 the enemies
OF the United States;
THE direction. aiding, counscling OF
. countcnancing Of any Of the foregoing
acts
such acts arc held To he trcasonabie
whether committed within the United
States or elsewhere: whether COM
mittcd by citizen OF the United
States. or an alien domiciicd or rcsid-
I ing in the United States. ina sniich as
| resident aliens, as well as citizens. owe
allegiance TO tho United States anu It's
laws.
ANY such citizen or alien who has
| knowledge OF the commission OF such
acts and concealS and docs not make
known the facts to the officials named
in section Of the penal code is guilty
! of misprision or treason.
And hereby proclaim and warn all
citizons of tho United States and all
! aliens. owing allegiance to the govern
mcnt OF the United States. 10 abstain
from committing any and all acts
| which would constitute n violation Of
any OF tho laws herein set forth. and
further proclaim and warn all persons
who may commit such acts that they
will be vigorously prosecuted therefor.
I'm witness whereof have hcreunto
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