Naval History and Heritage Command

Executive Order of United States President Woodrow Wilson

Executive Order

Censorship of Submarine Cables, Telegraph and Telephone Lines.

     The Executive Order of April 28, 1917, No. 2604, relating to the censorship of submarine cables, telegraph and telephone lines, is hereby amended to read as follows:

     Whereas, the existence of a state of war between the United States and the Imperial German Government makes it essential to the public safety that no communication of a character which would aid the enemy or its allies shall be had,

     Therefore, by virtue of the power vested in me under the Constitution and by the Joint Resolution passed by Congress on April 6, 1917, declaring the existence of a state of war, it is ordered that all companies or other persons, owning, controlling or operating telegraph and telephone lines or submarine cables, are hereby prohibited from transmitting messages to points without the United States or to points on or near the Mexican border through which messages may be despatched for the purpose of evading the censorship herein provided, and from delivering messages received from such points, except those permitted under rules and regulations to be established by the Secretary of War for telegraph and telephone lines, and by the Secretary of the Navy for submarine cables,

     To these Departments, respectively, is delegated the duty of preparing and enforcing rules and regulations under this order to accomplish the purpose mentioned.

     This order shall take effect from date.

Woodrow Wilson     

The White House,

          26 September, 1918.

[No. 2967.]