River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-04-09
ANARCHISTS In AMERICA.
Said To Be Awaiting a Signal to Begin
RevolutiOn-Facts that Reporter
Learned by Joining the Interna-
tional Workingman's Associa~

ton.
The PHILADELPHIA Press of Feb. s
printed long account of the anarch-
lists organization, or, as 1t is called,
the International Workingmen's asso-
citation, in this country, containing
many facts CLEANED by reporter of
that paper who attended anarchist
meetings and for a time became one
of them. The more important parts
of this publication are given below:
The anarchists of America do not,
as so many people here believe, direct
their operations wholly against Euro
pean kingdoms. Some of their efforts
have been expended in this direction
because, as they say, Europe is more
ripe for revolt; but their principal OPP
erations it is intended shall be against
the United States. The anarchists of
this country are governed by chief ex-
ecutive committees located in New
York and Chicago. From the former
| city the orders are all issued. Johann
Most and Justus Schwab are the lead
ing spirits. The New York committee
controls the disbursements of all
money collected for the cause Each
city in which the anarchists are To-
Gated in any numbers has what is
known as a central committee, COM
posed of two members from each
branch. These are in direct commun-
ication with headquarters. An ordi-
nary member IS not informed of the
operations of the organization. He
has no direct proof that his money
helped to pay the cost of the deeds, but
the leaders generally satisfy him on
that point.
In their declaration of principles the
anarchists avow themselves in favor
of agitation for the purpose of organ
ization; organization for the purpose
of rebellion" This Is, in few words,
their whole object. They seek to
overthrow the present system of law
by any acknowledgements, murder,
and nitro-glycerine. All money not
assessed as for actual service is de-
voted to the support of the main or
ganization. Levies for actual service
are spent on dynamite, arms, and am
munition.
The league has no passwords, signs,
or grips. Each member is furnished
with numbered red card. The num-
Der is that by which the bearer is
known in the organization. BY pre-
senting his card member identifies
himself at the meetings. The presence
of stranger at a meeting would not
necessarily disturb its officers, as no
secrets are preached in open session.
They are known only to the inner
brotherhood. Any person who is OPP
posed to corporations, rich people,
presidents, mayors, police, and police
stations on principle can become a
member, only he must be in favor OF
wiping out those adjuncts of civiliza-
ton by general uprising and massa-
ere.
The ordinary membership fee is 10
cents month, and whatever part OF
the extra assessments the individual
can afford. Some who are too poor to
pay anything, but who are able-bodied,
or so formed intellectually as to be
able to make converts, are admitted
without any payment. They must,
however, signify their willingness at
any moment to shoulder a musket and
march out with their comrades to an
initiate rulers and capitalists.
The headquarters of the association
are at No. so First street, New York
city, where Justus Schwab and Herr
Most can he found. Twelve branches
in New York supply the committee
with encouragement and ample funds.
The full list of agents of the principal
groups of anarchists in New York,
Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, San Fran
cisco, and St. Louis comprises over
two hundred names and addresses.
There are over fifty chief agents,
each commanding separate groups in
New York. New York city is sup
posed to have 1000 members, Chicago
1000, and Philadelphia 1000. Pitts
burgh is fourth on the list with 1,4OO
members, and Cincinnati and Cleve-
| land next.
The day to which every anarchist
! looks forward with hope and expecta-
ton is that on which the general up
rising is to take place in Europe and
the United States. Orders will be sent
from New York the day before in the
shape of proclamation, a copy OF
which was procured at headquarters,
and translation follows:
PROCLAMATION TO BE ISSUED ON THE
DAY OF THE IMPENDING UNIVERSAL
PART /. In every commune where
the people have been victorious, reyo-
lutionary committees will assemble.
These will execute the orders issued
by the revolutionary army, which will
strengthen itself by arming all the
workingmen and make use of its power
as the conqueror of a new world.
The present system will be the more
readily and easily vanquished if those
in authority. be they kings, kaisers, or
presidents, be at once destroyed. In
the meantime, massacres of the enc
mics of the people should be organ
lied.
Instructions must be excited in the
districts round and about the revolted
communes.
The revolutionary war can only
come to an end when the foe has been
pursued to his last abiding place and
destroyed.
In order to solve the economic ques-
ton more quickly and completely, all
lands and moveables shall be declared
the property of the respective com
munes Every pending debt shall be
extinguished. Articles for personal
use in pawn shall be returned to their
owners free of expense. Rents shall
not be paid. since all men have the
right to protect their health by seek
ing shelter Committees on quarters,
which will hold permanent sittings in
the various districts, will issue billets
to those who have no homes, or whose
accommodations are inadequate, which
will secure them comfortable homes.
After the rich have been swept away,
this will be an easy matter.
The proclamation continues in this
strain at great length. 1t is printed
In scarlet ink, and signed 1.-The execu-
tive committee, No. so First street,
New York"
The association will receive no other
warning. Its members are supposed
to DE in constant readiness. The MEM
bers are told that the proclamation
may come next week, next year, or
not for three years. The latter, it Is
asserted, is the extreme limit
The members are taught the leglti-
macy of the use of explosives. The
society started out with an implicit
faith in dynamite. 1t depends now en-
tirely on nitro-glycerine, confined on
the principle of Orsini bombs, in glass
Jars. There is a mandatory in Chi
cago where the explosives are made
and stored. In addition to that there
are in the organization of every city,
Philadelphia not excepted chemists
who understand the mixing and hand
ling of the most dangerous fumigates.
The anarchists IN Philadelphia have