The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-17
BARRED FROM THE MAILS
Edward Atkinson's Anti-Expansion
Pamphlets For Manila 10 Be Seized
DOMESTIC MAILS STILL 0PEN'

Atkinsoa's Writings Denounclng the
War to Be Taken From the Mail at
San Francisco by Order Of the Post
master Geuersl-Barred From Intro
ductIon in the Philippines.
WASHINGTON, D. G. (speciaD. The Post
master General hos directed the Postmaster
at San Francisco to take out OF the mails
for Manila three pamphlets Issued by Ed
ward Atkinson, of Boston, vice-president
OF the Anti-Imperiallsti League.
This order does not apply to the circula.
tlon OF the pamphlets by mail in this coun.
try, but bars their despatch from this
country tc the Philippines. ir being stated
by the Department that promotion OF dis.
content and even mutiny among the SOL
diers Is the design OF these publications.
The three pamphlets are specifically de-
scrlbed, and in no circumstances are they
to be forwarded by mail to the Philippines.
The pamphlets have the following titles
"Criminal Aggression by Whom?" "The
Cost OF a National Crime" and "The Hell
Of War aud Its Penalties" According to
Mr.. Atkinson's own statement, AS reported,
| u laES6 HuluUoE VI LILO pdApuiolo now ooSo
sent out.
The matter was carefully considered by
the Cabinet. From Information IN the pos
session Of the authorities 1t was evident
that many OF the communications which
have been sent to the volunteers around
Manila, and which have been interrupted
by General Otis, were clearly OF character
to inclte mutlny among the troops, and evil
IDENTIFY sent with that intent.
T. f,,k,, ht, kkar hn n
cred In the light OF the provisions OF the
law.
The manner OF dealing with those publ
catlons hos been placed In the hands oi
Postmaster General Smith, with instruc.
tIons to take immediate action. The Post.
master General has Used an order forbid
ding the passage Of such literature through
the mails. Special attention Will ba given
to the literature which Is delivered to the
troops in tie Philippines In the future.
Attorney-General Grlggs IN speaking oil
Boston, who is believed to have been
largely instrumental in the preparation
and sending out Of these circulars, was up'
ouestionably guilty Of assisting an tnsur.
rection against the authority OF the United
States, and was subject to term OF I'm.
prisonment or heavy fine, or both. The
law, which, It Is said, has been violated Is
section 1894 OF the Revised Statutes which
Is az follows:
every person who incltes, sets on foot,
assists or engages In any rebellion or In
surrectio1 against the authority OF the
! United States, or the laws thereof, or gives
aid or comfort thereto, shall be punished
by Imprisonment not more than ten years
or by fine OF not more than $40, 900, OF
by both OF such punishments; and shall
moreover, be incapable OF holding any
office under the United States"
What action II any will be taken In the
matter has not been determined, but 1t Is
said that t he Government Is disposed to re-
gard the &C It's OF Dir. Atkinson as those OF 4
person without any proper conception o
the gravity OF the offenses committed and
| the Government may not at this time take
action against DIR. Atkinson and the assist
| tnnt. Members of the administration re-
gard Mr.. Atkinson's alleged action rs sed.
itious and disgraceful, and 1t Is not I'm
| probable that, X repeated, prompt and en-.
ergeric action will be taken.
Postmaster General Smith says that II
| matters little how much OF their literature
| the unti-expansionists circulate in this
country, but that no more OF 1t must 60
| to the volunteer troops at the front.
The order OF the Postoff1cs Department
relative to the treatment OF this literature
| Is intended also to be warning to the
politicians and others who are endeavor
ing to defeat the aims OF the Government
by seeking to influence the troops. It Il
not known whether any steps are contem'
| plated against individuals or not. Thai
rests with the Attorney-General. But 1t Is
not considered probable that any crimina
proceedings will be entered upon except ir
case OF another attempt by these person:
to circulate their literature among the
trOODS,