The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-15

terfering with the war preparations
of the United States.
Let us apply these rules to pres
ent situations. If help Is now given
Germany against France. Great Brit
ain, Italy. Japan. Serbia, Russia, Rou-
mania, or any of those nations which,
with the United States, Is now en-
gagged in war ON Germany, it is trea-
son against the United States. IT.,
therefore, ammunition, provisions or
supplies intended for or belonging to
these nations which are our allies in
effect, If not by formal treaty, are de-
stroyed or impeded by strikes, or
dered or entered upon with such trea-
sonable designs; if recruiting by any
Of these nations is interfered with, or
if similar acts are attempted, it is trea-
son on the part of one owing allegi-
ance to the United States, even though
United States. If directed against the
United States 1t is treason beyond
question.
And il such attempts are not sue
cessful, If they fail of their intended
effort or purpose, still they are trea-
son, ully and legally completed trea5
brought and conviction had and sus-
tanned. So, then, if the efforts of
speakers and pamphleteers to cause
such troubles do not actually, or can
not be shown actually to have accom-
plished their intended results. never
| theless, If inspired by traitorous mo-
tive. and some act looking toward the
intA.ded result has taken place, the
crime of treason IS complete, even
without proof OF actual accomplish
ment. And in such cases, the adher-
ence to the enemy is found in the
black-hearted purposes which inspired
and guided the traitor; and the overt
acts are found not only in the open
violence by which many such efforts
would normally be attended, but also
in the written or spoken words where
by such efforts are sought to be eff
lfectuated, If there is natural causal
connection between such words and
1.-THE results sought by the traitor.
| This really is the gist of the whole
question. There cannot>be any doubt
that words of advice and recommends
ton which actually lead to the de-
struction of property intended to be
used by the United States in its wal
preparations or operations. or which
lead to delays or interference with
such preparations or operations. are
SO closely related to such results by
the ordinary rules of cause and effect
as to make the words merely one of
the initiating causes.
| "And where the ordinary and rea-
sonable expectation Of all mankind
must be that words melting such acts
will result therein, surely the words
of advice or recommendation are
overt acts Of treason. Such words are
verbal acts. 1t is no more necessary
for such acts to be successful and &C
complish their intended and natural
results than that the traitorous Cap
tain Vaughan, cruising for the pur
pose of destroying British shipping
should have been successful, or thai
| letters intended to convey military in
should be received and acted upon.
when mere words are said to be
treason, what is meant is that words
are not treason If their effect is ended
when uttered; if they have not and
cannot reasonably be expected tc
have further operative force; but II
the uttered words are, on the con
trary, of such a character that they
aid, or may reasonably be expected to
set in operation, chain of circum
stances or events leading to acts
which hinder or delay a successful
prosecution Of the war, then such
words fully answer any requirement
as to overt acts"