Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico: Our Council of Ministers and our Council of State having been heard, we decree: Article I. All individuals forming a part of armed bands or bodies existing without legal authority, whether or not proclaiming a political pretext, whatever the number of those forming such band, or its organization, character, and denomination, shall be judged militarily by the courts martial. If found guilty, even though only of the fact of belonging to an armed band, they shall be condemned to capital punishment, and the sentence shall be executed within twenty-four hours. Article II. Those who, forming part of the bands mentioned in the above article, shall have been taken prisoners in combat shall be judged by the officer commanding the force into the power of which they have fallen. It shall become the duty of said officer within the twenty-four hours following to institute an inquest, hearing the accused in his own behalf. Upon this inquest a report shall be drawn and sentence shall be passed. The pain of death shall be pronounced against offenders even if only found guilty of belonging to an armed band. The chief shall have the sentence carried into execution within twenty-four hours,--being careful to secure to the condemned spiritual aid,--after which he will address the report to the Minister of War. Article III. Sentence of death shall not be imposed upon those who, although forming part of a band, can prove that they were coerced into its ranks, or upon those who, without belonging to a band, are accidentally found there. Article IV. If from the inquest mentioned in Article II facts should appear calculated to induce the chief to believe that the accused has been enrolled by force, or that, although forming part of the band, he was there accidentally, he shall abstain from pronouncing a sentence, and will consign the prisoner, with the corresponding report, to the court martial, to be judged in accordance with Article I. Article V. There shall be judged and sentenced under the terms of Article I of the present law: I. All individuals who voluntarily have procured money or any other succor to guerrilleros. II. Those who have given them advice, news, or counsel. III. Those who voluntarily and with knowledge of the position of said guerrilleros have sold them or procured for them arms, horses, ammunition, provisions, or any other materials of war. Article VI. There shall be judged and sentenced in accordance with Article I: I. Those who have entertained with guerrilleros relations constituting the fact of connivance. II. Those who of their own free will and knowingly have given them shelter in their houses or on their estate. III. Those who have spread orally or in writing false or alarming news calculated to disturb order, or who have made any demonstration against the public peace.