Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-03


they are engaged Their circulation, ex-
cent I'm the mails for the Philippines. is
not interfercd with, because In being
sent 20 Manila they are destined for sol
dicrs lighting our battles but IN this coun-
trv the effort 10 incl;e TO mutiny could
have no result.
mot only are they designed 20 incite
TO mutiny the American soldiers I'm those
islands. but also TO foment and encourage
insurrccton on the part OF the Filiplnos
themselves. Such seditious literature. II
not stopped, might have an effect on the
forces we now are dealing with that would
be incidentally TO their advantage. and
tend TO strengthen their weakened op-
position. The law covering the case is
ample. What action might be taken-and
The offence is Of the grayest character
is not 10 be discussed 1 do not believe
there Is any intention 90 prosecute Mr..
Atkinson, as the matter now stands. The
authority 10 do so. however, Is plain.
lie not only attacks the President and
the government in the most virulent lam
guage, and disputes the national policy,
but also calls on the American troops TO
defy the government. Certainly, this gov
eminent IS empowered TO stop or check,
as IL sees III, the circulation of these sedi-
uous publications"
WHAT MIR. ATKINSON SAYS.
BOSTON. May 2.-Hon. Edward Atkln-
son. vicc-presidcnt Of the Anti-Impe-
rialist League. OF this city, was shown the
Washington dispatch stating that the
Postmaster-Gcneral had directed that GER
tain pamphlets prepared By Mr.. Atkinson
be taken from the mails for Manila.
Mr.. Atkinson said he had received no
.If .f..s,s ~
about the matter. He explained that the
documents were compilations Of facts and
figures taken from the debates in the Fed
cral House and Senate. and calling dtten-
ton 10 points overlooked in the debates.
by the action of the Senate Mr.. At
kinson continued. these compilations
were published as Senate documents. and
they are now public documents OF TIE
United States. Therefore, any action taken
toward keeping them out Of the mails
would imply that the Congressional Re
cord and other official documents OF the
United states are unsuitable 10 be sent
10 officers Of the volunteer regiments now
I'm Manila, whose term OF service has ex-
pired. and whose return TO this country
is demanded by officials of certain States,
who say that the men are entitled TO
discharge.
THE PAMPHLETS DESCRIBED.
at is said that the dispatch of these
pamphlets from this country 10 the
Philippines is barred, lest they should
create discomfort and even mutiny among
the soldiers; that being stated by the
department TO be the design Of these pub
locations. There are two pamphlets only,
the first edition Of the first one, printed
i'm November. was dedicated 90 Presi-
dent Mckinley in support Of his state
ment that "forcible annexation would be
criminal aggression" The facts and
figures given in that pamphlet, as
whole. were made the frequent subject
of debate i'm the House Of Representatives
and the Senate during the session. ana
the pamphlet as whole was nnally
printed bv order Of the Senate as Senate
Document 40. q.
"The second pamphlet was issued ia.e
I'm February. when il appeared That acts
Of criminal aggression were Deihs com
mittod in the Philippine Islands. In
that pamphlet certain facts and state
nents were submitted to the attention OF
the Senate. and were the subject oil de-
bate. and that pamphlet again. by order
of the Senate. was printed as a senate
document. have copy OF No o.
and have sent for a copy OF the latter
SENT TO OFFICERS ONLY.
"Thcse pamphlets were, OH APii 80
and 18th addressed by me to Aun,r|
George Dewey, President Schui man. 80,
fessor Worcester, General II. q. Jus
General Iawton. General Miller, and the
correspondent Of a New York illustrated
weekly I'm Manila. None others have
TO nv knowledge been sent to any one
else 1 desired to send them 10 other
officers. and for that purpose notified inc
War Department OF my intention anu
asked for list that would give me inc
.If il is unlawful for a citizen Of the
r-ritod states to communicate with other
citizens i'm Manila. by sending them doc
uments. in a private edition, which have
hen printed by order of the United
States senate as public documents, / am
content 10 leave the matter at that exact
point. as it requires no comment from
me-"