The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-06-20
Rosenbergs Are
First Civilians
To Die In us.
For Espionage
BY GEORGE CORNELL

tory contained new page today
the first execution by the federal
government of civilian for either
spying or treason.
Down through its 1T years, the
nation has jailed many branded
as traitors.
But not until the atomic spies
julius and Ethel Rosenberg walked
to the electric chair last night
had any civilian citizen ever been
put to death for such a cause.
From a historical viewpoint,
said Historian Allan Nevins, ''this
H. a case that win be long re-
membered."
Who were the accused betrayers
out of Americas past, and what
was their fate? Here is a chrono-
logical account of some Of the not
able cases, beginning with the Rev.
Olutionary War:
Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, second
In command of George Washing
tons Continental Army, plotted to
aid the British. His punishment:
relief from his command. Not I'M
til later was his full treachery re-
vealed.
Gen. Benedict Arnold, who made
an abortive deal with the British
to surrender the fort at West Point,
fled to the British side, was paid
$4,000, and given British COM
mand.
David Bradford, leader of
Pennsylvania violent 1894 .'Whis-
key Rebellion against a federal
whiskey tax, escaped capture. Two
underlings were sentenced to hang
for treason, but were pardoned.
Matthew Lyon Of Vermont, one
of hundreds arrested for sedition
under the harsh Alien and Sedi-
ton Laws of 1898 to 1900, was
elected to Congress as a hero while
still in jail. The laws were re-
pealed.
John Fries, who in 1899 led a
14O-man uprising against tax on
houses in Pennsylvania, was sen
fenced to hang for treason, but
was pardoned after popular senti-
Hnent rose for him.
Aaron Burr, one-time vice presi-
dent who. killed Alexander HamiI-
ton in a duel, plotted with Eng.
land and Spain to set up a separ.
ate empire in the Southwest. Tried
for treason, he was acquitted. Full
details of his conspiracy came out
years later.
In the Mexican War, there was
open defiance. Author James Rus
sell Lowell advised soldiers to
mutiny rather than fight. Henry
Thoreau called for revolution, re-
fused to pay taxes, and was jailed.
Thousands OF American soldiers
joined the Mexican side and fought
their own country. Of so of these
caught. some were executed by a
military court.
Joseph Smith, leader OF the
savagely prosecuted Mormons, was
charged with treason in both nli-
nois and Missouri, and finally mur.
dered by a mob while in jail.
John Brown, who led the unSuc.
ressful 1859 raid on the federal
arsenal at Harper'S Ferry to cap
ture arms and free slaves, was
hanged for treason by the state Of
Virginia-not the federal govern
ment.
After the Civil War, the u. S.
Supreme Court held the entire
South guilty of treason. and some
$4,000. including Confederate Pres
ident jefferson Davis, were arrest
ed. but later pardoned.
In World War I. sabotage of
ships and war materials led TO the
arrest Of five Americans for treas
on.
None was convicted.
Ia World War II. so German.
Americans were indicted for con.
spiracy to set up a Nazi-type gov.
eminent here. Tie case, brought
under the 1910 Smith Act, dragged
out and finally was dismissed.
II Is the same law under which
more than score Of top Commu.
nistS have been convicted Of con.
spring 10 overthrow the govern.
ment by force. They got prison
terms.
Navy Condr. John S. Farms
worth, convicted Of doing espion.
age for Japan in the years i'm.
mediately before World War II.
was sentenced 10 four to Il years
In prison.
Max stephen. pro-German De.
trois tavern keeper who ran a Mari
Bund meeting hall with a secret
rifle range and sheltered escaped
Naai prisoners, was sentenced To-
hang for treason 10 Is4s. But the
penalty was changed TO life i'm.
priSonment.
Five Americans, convicted 81