Evening star., 1923-04-01
XII KLUX FOUNDER
DEF|ES KLAN'S BAN
Col. Simmons Declares Mem.
bers May Affiliate Freely
With KameIia.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ATLANTA, March 31.-William
Joseph Simmons issued a proclama
ton here today as founder and en-
peror of the knights Of the Ku Klux
Klan," declaring that "I now pro-
claim that any klansman and that
every klansman has the same in
alienable and indisputable right to
kamelia that I exercised in founding
that order. the proclamation from
the imperial palace to the contrary
Notwithstanding"
Mr.. Simmons asserted that a proc
lamation had been put out from the
imperial palace forbidding any klans-
men from identifying themselves
with any womans organization. in
cluding the kamelia. which he Is
establishing. His proclamation IS
signed also as founder and el magus
Of the kamelia."
Scores Palace Edict.
The imperial palace edict, the
proclamation OF Mr.. Simmons de-
clares. subjects any klansman "to
the severest penalty that may be
imposed in the order" and is so rigid
as to inhibit klansman from coun-
selling with his wife or his sister
or his mother II such counseling
gave aid or comfort to the companion
and counterpart order Of the knights
of the Ku Klux Klan or any other
organization Of women"
This proclamation" Mr.. Simmons
continued, referring to the imperial
palace, whether designed to do so
or not, will shock into inactivity, as
far as the woman's organization is
concerned, every klansman in the
invisible empire.
1T is therefore incumbent upon
me-" he continued, "as creator and
founder of the ku klux Klan, and
later as creator and founder Of the
OF both organizations. 20 assure the
klansmen OF America that no arrest
can be upon their interest or their
activities in the promotion and de-
velopment of the kamelia that will
in anywise affect their standing as
klansmen."
The proclamation, which Mr.. Sim
mons said was issued at the imperial
palace, is as follows:
Text of Proclamation.
Whereas 1t has come to the
knowledge of your imperial wizard
| that certain klansmen in the nation
are becoming connected with or
fostering, or lending aid in encour-
agement to various womens organi-
cations; some giving sanction to the
claims OF these organizations to be-
| ing auxiliaries to our great order.
| in direct conflict with the expressed
actions of the klans in klonklave as
| sembled; be it known that any klans-
man who represents any woman's or
ganfzation, or assists in the organi-
zation of any womans organization
In any manner, without written au-
thority from the imperial wizard,
shall be held guilty of a major of
fense under our constitution and laws.
I 1t Is hereby ordered that a copy of
| this proclamation be sent to every khan
! in the nation
Evans Issues Statement.
Later a statement authorized by
| from the imperial palace, said: THE
from the imperial palace, said the
| imperial wizard, in issuing a procla-
| should not participate in the forma-
ton of any woman'S organization IN
| connection with the knights of the
Ku Klux Klan, carried out the instruc-
| tions Of the national klonvocation Of the
! order which met in Atlanta last No
vember.
"At this time it was brought to the
| attention of the convention that d
| number of women's organizations ex =
| listed, some of which sought to be
| recognized as women's auxiliaries to
the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
| THE klonvocation, which Is the
law-making body of the khan, ruled
that the Knights of the Ku Klux
| klan should form no woman's auxil-
larry and should recognize no wom-
| ans organization formed on khan
principles until special committee
| should investigate and report to the
imperial kloncilum on or before May
/, 1923.
| THE same resolution gave the i'm
lperial kloncilium full power to act
1 in ffnr nnI oI.os -,
of the investigating committee, and
empowered the imperial wizard to
appoint the rest of ,the members
I This committee has not vet reported