Par. Detention of armed vessels____ 1469p 1469q Par. 1469r 1469s 1469t of property Statement from master of ves- 1469u Same-Procedure on petition of 14759 1469w 1471a -100 1415a. Declaration of existence of war between the Imperial German Government and the Government of the United States.-The state of war between the United States and the Imperial German Government which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial German Government; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination all of the re sources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States. Joint Resolution of Apr. 6, 1917 (40 Stat. 1). 1415b. Vessels within jurisdiction of the United States belonging to its enemies to be taken over.-The President be, and he is hereby, authorized to take over to the United States the immediate possession and title of any vessel within the jurisdiction thereof, including the Canal Zone and all territories and insular possessions of the United States except the American Virgin Islands, which at the time of coming into such jurisdiction was owned in whole or in part by any corporation, citizen, or subject of any nation with which the United States may be at war when such vessel shall be taken, or was flying the flag of or was under register of any such nation or any political subdivision or municipality thereof; and, through the United States Shipping Board, or any department or agency of the Government, to operate, lease, charter, and equip such vessel in any service of the United States, or in any commerce, foreign or coastwise.-Sec. 1, Joint Resolution of May 12, 1917 (40 Stat. 75). 1415c. Same-Appointment of board of survey to ascertain value of such vessels.-The Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to appoint, subject to the approval of the President, a board of survey, whose duty it shall be to ascertain the actual value of the vessel, its equipment, appurtenances, and all property contained therein, at the time of its taking, and to make a written report of their findings to the Secretary of the Navy, who shall preserve such report with the records of his department. These findings shall be considered as competent evidence in all proceedings on any claim for compensation. Sec. 2, id. TREASON. 1415d. Treason defined.-Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason. Sec. 1, Act of Mar. 4, 1909, Criminal Code (35 Stat. 1088). (This section reenacts section 5331, Revised Statutes, which it repeals.) The preamble to this resolution recites that "Whereas the Imperial German Government has committed repeated acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it resolved," etc. Upon the question raised as to the "date of commencement of the present war with reference to the action which should be taken on claims of officers and enlisted men for property destroyed in the military service under the act of Congress approved March 3, 1885, providing that the act "shall not apply to losses sustained in time of war or hostilities with Indians." Held, that the date of the commencement of the present war should be regarded as the date of the approval of the joint resolution of Congress of April 6, 1917, formally declaring a state of war as existing between the United States and the Imperial German Government. (War Dept. Bull. 49, Aug. 22, 1415e. Same-Punishment for.-Whoever is convicted of treason shall suffer death; or, at the discretion of the court, shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined not less than ten thousand dollars, to be levied on and collected out of any or all of his property, real and personal, of which he was the owner at the time of committing such treason, any sale or conveyance to the contrary notwithstanding; and every person so convicted of treason shall, moreover, be incapable of holding any office under the United States. Sec. 2, id. (This section substantially reenacts section 5332, Revised Statutes, which is repealed.) 1415f. Misprision of treason defined; punishment of.-Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States and having knowledge of the commission of any treason against them, conceals and does not, as soon as may be, disclose and make known the same to the President or to some judge of the United States, or to the governor or to some judge or justice of a particular State, is guilty of misprision of treason and shall be imprisoned not more than seven years and fined not more than one thousand dollars. Sec. 3, id. (This section reenacts section 5333, Revised Statutes, which is repealed.) 1415g. Inciting, etc., rebellion or insurrection; punishment for.Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be imprisoned not more than ten years, or fined not more more than ten thousand dollars, or both; and shall, moreover, be incapable of holding any office under the United States. Sec. 4, id. (This section is a substantial reenactment of section 5334, Revised Statutes, which is repealed.) 1415h. Criminal correspondence with foreign governments; punishment for; redress of private injuries.—Every citizen of the United States, whether actually resident or abiding within the same, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, or in any foreign country, without permission or authority of the Government, directly or indirectly, commences or carries on any verbal or written correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with an intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the Government of the United States; and every person, being a citizen of or resident within the United States or in any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, and not duly authorized, counsels, advises, or assists in any such correspondence with such intent, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than three years; but nothing in this sec tion shall be construed to abridge the right of a citizen to apply, himself or his agent, to any foreign government or the agents thereof for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects. Sec. 5, id. (This section is a substantial reenactment of section 5335, Revised Statutes, which is repealed.) 14151. Seditious conspiracy, punishment for.-If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than six years, or both. Sec. 6, id, 1089. (This section is a substantial reenactment of section 5336, Revised Statutes, which is repealed.) 1415j. Recruiting for service against the United States, punishment for. Whoever recruits soldiers or sailors within the United States, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, to engage in armed hostility against the same, or opens within the United States, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, a recruiting station for the enlistment of such soldiers or sailors to serve in any manner in armed hostility against the United States, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than five years. Sec. 7, id. (This section is a substantial reenactment of section 5337, Revised Statutes, which is repealed.) 1415k. Enlisting to serve against the United States, punishment for.-Every person enlisted or engaged within the United States or in any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, with intent to serve in armed hostility against the United States, shall be fined one hundred dollars and imprisoned not more than three years. Sec. 8, id. (This section is a substantial reenactment of section 5338, Revised Statutes, which is repealed.) TRADING WITH THE ENEMY. 1420a. Definition of act.-This Act shall be known as the "Trading with the enemy Act." Sec. 1, Act of Oct. 6, 1917 (40 Stat. 411). 1420b. "Enemy" defined.-The word "enemy," as used herein, shall be deemed to mean, for the purposes of such trading and of this Act Any individual, partnership, or other body of individuals, of any nationality, resident within the territory (including that occupied 54208-18-23 |