Republican farmer., 1918-04-19
SUPERVISION OF AMERICAN TRAVEL UNDER NEW LAW Bill Proposed in House To Enable Country to Pro
 tect Borders. PRESSING NEED OF
 THE LEGISLATION Restrictions Would Prevent Spies From Entering or
 Leaving the Country.

Washington, Apri! 16---S Supervision of travel of American citizens so as to guard the country against opera tlons of spies and other enemy agents Is to be provided under the broad powers conferred by a bill pending in the House. with the administra- tion and the foreign affairs commit tee as it's sponsors. It is intended to give necessary supplemental authority to the government to watch its bor- ders and act quickly where present laws are inadequate and to follow, in principle, at least the precautions taken by the warning governments of Europe.
 Need of legislation is considered pressing. Recently there have been numerous suspicious departures for Cuba which it was impossible for this government to prevent Other indi- vidual cases of entry and departure at various points have excited the greatest anxiety. This is particularly true, according to the government, in respect of the Mexican border, pas sage across which cannot legally be restricted for many types of persons reasonably suspected of aiding Ger many's purposes. The bill will be urged in both houses as an emer- gency war measure. It is intended to stop what Chairman Flood, of the House foreign affairs committee, calls "an important gap in the war legisla- tion of the United States"
 As soon as this country entered the war the President provided by proc lamation, that German alien enemies might not enter or leave the United States without securing permission. When the war was declared against Austria Hungary similar regulations were promulgated concerning Austro- Hungarian alien enemies.
 This measure of limitation of for eign travel was far from sufficient, Ithe House foreign affairs committee reports "The Trading with the En- emy Act'' leaves American citizens and Ineutrals perfectly free to come and 20. No argument is necessary to in ldicate the probability that Germany will wherever possible employ rene gade Americans or neutrals as hel agents instead of employing Germans about whom suspicion would easily be excited. The danger Of the trans
 ference of important military infor
 nation causes the government grea anxiety, particularly as the attorne1 general has ruled that neither the President nor the executive depart ments have power to curb the genera l departure and entry of travellers. New legislation is the only rem edy. In his address to Congress oI December 4, 1917. the President en phasized the necessity of creating very definite and particular contro l over the entrance and departure 0
 all persons into and from the United
 States. The Department of Justic
 drafted the bill now under discussion
 It was introduced in Congress on Feb
 ruary 26, 191s."
 Citizens need not secure such per
 mits as are required of aliens, bu
 must bear valid passports. Passport , will continue to be issued as at pres r ent by the Department of State, an
 there is no reason to believe, accord D ing to the. framers of the bill, tha = any American citizen will be undul
 inconvenienced by these restrictions
 WHile Che pO"Sl 'eSlOU III lho TI0e = ident is broad and comprehensive, tii
 bill defines all the infringements C
 it's terms which may be criminal. Tn
 bill places a maximum limit beyon
 which it's penal provisions may nc
 be carried and requires that all rule
 regulations, and orders shall be req :. sonaaose. II NO one" says Mr. Flood, ca S foresee the different means whic o may be adopted by hostile nations | secure military information or sprea e propaganda and discontent It is ol viously impractica;ble to appeal 1
 Congress for further legislation l x each new emergency. Swift exec, tive action Is the only effective cou1 ter stroke"