Year: 1870

Whereas, A state of war unhappily ex-
lists between France on the one side and the
North German Confederation and its allies
on the other side; and


Whereas, The United States are on term.
of friendship and unity with all the conten-
ding powers and with the persons inhabiting
their several dominions and


Whereas, Great numbers of the citizens
of the United States reside within the ter
ritories or dominions of each of said belig-
erents and carry on commerce, or trade or
other business or pursuits therein protected
by the faith of treaties and


Whereas, Great numbers Of the subject.
or citizens of each of said belligerents reside
within the territory or jurisdiction of the
United States, and carry on commerce, trade
or other business pursuits therein; and


Whereas, The laws of the United S ates.
without interfering with q free expression
of opinion and sympathy, or with the man
ufacture or sale of arms or munitions of
war, nevertheless impose upon all persons
who may he within their territory and ju
risdiction the duty of an impartial neutrali
ty during the existence of the contest.


Now, therefore, |, Ulysses S. Grant,
President of the United States, in order to
preserve the neutrality of the United States,
and of their citizens, and of person. within
their territory and jurisdiction, and to en-
force their laws, and in order that all per-
ba,p ,f ha 6
the laws and treaties of the United States
in their behalf, and of the law of nations,
may thus be prevented from uDconstitution-
al violation of the same, hereby declare and
day of April, A. ID. 1918, commonly known
the neutrality law, the following acts are
forbidden to be done under severe penalties
within the territory or jurisdiction of the
United States To wit


First, Accepting and exercising a com,
mission to serve either of said belligerents,
by land or by sea, against the other bcllig
ent.


Second, Enlisting or entering into the
service of either of said belligerents as a
soldier, or as a marine or seaman on board
of any vessel of war, letter of marque or
privateer


Third, Hiring or retaining another per-
son to enlist or enter himself IN the service
of either of said belligeTents as a soldier,
or as marine or seaman on board of any
vessel of war, letter of marque or privateer.


Fourth, Hiring another person to go be-
yond the limits of the jurisdiction of the
United States with intent to be enlisted as
aforesaid.


Fifth, Hiring another person to go be-
yond the limits of the United States with
intent to be entered into service as sfore-
said


Sixth, Retaining another person to go
beyond the limits of the United States with
intent to be enlisted as aforesaid.


Seventh, Retaining another person to 60
beyond the limits OF the United State. with
intent to be entered into service as afore
said But the said act is not to be constru-
ed to extend to citizen or subject of either
belligerent, who, being transiently within
the United States, shall on board of any
vessel of war which at the time Of its arri-
val within the United States was fitted and
equipped as such vessel of war, enlist or
enter himself or hire or retain another sub
ject or citizen of the same Delligerent who
is transiently within the United States to en-
list or enter himself to serve such belliger
ent on board such vessel of war, if the Uni
ted States shall then be at peace with such
belligerent.


Eighth, Fitting out and arming, or at
tempting to fit out and arm, or procuring to
be fitted out and armed, or knowingly being
concerned in the furnishing, fitting or arm
ing of any ship or vessel with the intent
that such ship or vessel shall be employed
in the service of said belligerents.


Ninth, Issuing or delivering commits
sion within the territory or jurisdiction of
the United States for any ship Or vessel
with the intent that may be employed as
aforesaid


Tenth, Increasing or augmenting, or pro-
curing to be increased or augmented, or
knowingly Delng cOncerpeu III lncrcaSiuS VI
augmenting the force of any ship of war,
cruiser or other armed vessel which at the
time of their being within the United States
was ship of war, cruiser or armed vessel,
la the service of either of said belligerents,
or belonging to subjects or citizens of either
by adding to the number Of guns of such
vessel or by changing those on board of her
for guns of larger calibre, ETC., or by the ad-
dition thereto of any equipment solely ap-
plicable to war.


Eiev nth, Beginning or setting on foot,
or providing or preparing means for any
military expedition or enterprise to be car.
ried on from the territory or jurisdiction Of
the United States against the territory OIL
dominions of either of said belligerents
| And | do further declare and proclaim
that by the nineteenth article of the treaty
of amity and commerce, which was conclu
ded between His Majesty, the King o
| Prussia, and the United States of America
on the llth day of July, 1899, which article
was revived by the treaty Of May |, 1923
between the same PARTIES and is still il
| force. it was agreed that the vessels of war