The age-herald., 1899-05-03
SEDITIOUS MAIL TO
 MANILA HELD UP 
Three Pamphlets of Anti-lmper-
 ialistic Doctrine Stopped
BY GOVERNMENT ORDERS
Were Sent Out by Atkinson and Anti Imperialistic League ' Postmaster General Smith Says They Would
 Incite Mutiny Among Soldiers.

,. Washington. May. 2.-The postmaster general has directed the postmaster at San Francisco to take out of the mails for Manila Three pamphlets issued by Edward Atkinson, of Boston, vice president of the Anti-Imperialistic league.
 This order does not apply to the circula- ton of the pamphlets by mail in this coun- try, but bars tte.r dispatch from this country to the Philippines, discontent and even mutiny among the soldiers being stated by the department being the design of these publications.
 The absentees from today's cabinet mee>- ing were Secretaries Gage, Long, Alger and Wilson.
 One of the subjects of discussion was the circulars which were mailed to the troops at Manila criticising the Philippine policy of the government and advising volunteers whose term of service is about to expire not to re-enlist.
 A member of the cabinet in speaking or the matter, said that MT. Edward Atkn- son.. of Boston, who is believed to have been largely pstrumental in the prepara- ton and sending out of these circulars, was unquestionably guilty Of assisting an insurrection against the authority of the United States and was subject to a term of imprisonment or a heavy fine or botA. The law, which it is said, has been v1o- lated in section 53Si of the revised statutes, which is as follows:
  "Every person who incites, sets on foot, assists or engages in any rebel lion or insurrection against the author ity of the United States or the laws thereof, L- gives aid or comfort there to- shall be punished by Imprisonment not more than ten years or by inc of not more than ten thousand dollars, or by both of such punishments; and shall moreover be incapable Of hold f ing any office under the United States"
 
 What action, if any, vii be taken in the matter has not been determined, but It Is said that the government is disposed to regard the acts of MT. Atkinson as those of person without any proper conception of the gravity of the offense committed and the government may not at this time take action against MT. Atkinson and his assistants.
 The postmaster general stated at the cabinet meeting that he had ordered the circulars stopped at San Francisco. Mem bers of the army department regarded MT. Atkinson's alleged act as sedihous and disgraceful, and it is not improbable, if re- peated, prompt and energetic action will be taken
 Pamphlets Would Invite Rebellion
 The three pamphlets, copies of which has been prohibited in the mails for the Phil ippines, are those which have the following titles:
 Criminal Aggression by Whom?" "The Cos tof a National Crime" and "The Hell of War and it's Penalties" These, unless something should develop to necessitate further action, may be circulated through the mails within this country. According to Mr. Atkinsons own statement as re- ported a number of the pamphlets have been sent out.
 It is thought there is little possibility of any of these public publications getting past the San Francisco office but if a few should the military officers in the Philip pines will promptly suppress them. Post master General Smith made a statement to the Associated Press today, saying:
 "These pamphlets actually incite to mutiny, and it would be utterly unjus- tifable to permit their circulation among the soldiers in the Philippines. Their circulation is a movement to in- duce the soldiers to disobey orders, and in effect to embarrass and resist the government in whose services they are engaged Their circulation, except in the mail for the Philippines, is not in- terfered with because only being sent to Manila they are destined for sol- diers fighting battles, but in this country the effort to incite to mutiny could have no result. Not only are they designed to incite to mutiny the Amer ican soldiers in those islands, but to foment and encourage insurrection on the part of the Filpinos themselves.
 Would Stimulate FiIipinos
 "Such seditious literature as now stop ped might have an effect on the forces we are dealing with that would be incidentally to their advantage, and certainly would tend to stimulate and strengthen their al- ready weakening opposition. The law GOV ering the case is ample What action might be taken-and the offense is of the gravest character-is not to be discussed I do not believe there is any intention to prosecute Mr. Atkinson as the matter now stands The authority to do so is, however planned. Certainly this government is empowered to stop or cut, as it sees 1t, circulation of the seditious publications" IN THE PRELIMINARY CONTEST