The morning news., 1899-05-03
CALLED HIM A C0NSPIRATOR.
CABINET MEMBER MADE CHARGES
AGAINST ATKINSON.

said He Was UnquestiOnabIy Guilty
OF Assisting InsurrectiOn
Against the Authority of the
United Standardization of See
tiOn J,334 of the Reviked Statutes.
Circulars to Soldiers Were stopped
at san Francisco.
| Washington, May 2.-The absentees from
to-day's cabinet meeting 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
the volunteers, whose term of service is
about to expire not TO re-enlist.
A member of the cabinet, in speaking
of the matter said that Mr.. Edward At
kinson of Boston, who is believed 20 have
been largely instrumental in the prepara-
ton and sending out of these circulars,
was unquestionably guilty of assisting an
insurrecton against the authority of the
| United States, and was subject to a term
of imprisonment or a heavy fine, or both.
The law, which it is said has been violat-
| ed is Section 1894 of the Revised Statutes,
which are as fellows:
Every person who incites, sets on foot,
assists or engages in any rebellion or in
surrection against the authority of the
United States, or the laws thereof, or
gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be pun
ished by imprisonment not more than ten
years, or by fine of not more than s10,-
900, or by both of such punishments; and
shall, moreover be incapable of holding
0f1U s1ae tI,1
What action if any, will be taken in the
matter has not been determined nor it is
said that the government is disposed to
regard the acts of Mr.. 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 Mr. Atkinson and his
associates.
The postmaster general stated at the
cabinet meeting that he ordered the circu-
lars stopped at San Francisco
Members of the administration regard
Mr. Atkinson's alleged action as seditious
and disgraceful and ii is not improbable
that if repeated, prompt and energetic
action will be taken.
Ordered Out of the Mails.
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-Imperiahstic League
This order does not apply to the circu-
latlon of the pamphlets by mail in this
country, but bars their dispatch from this |
country to the Philippines, discomfort, and !
even mutiny, among the soldiers being |
stated by the department to be the design |
of these publications.
The three pamphlets are specifically de- |
scribed, and in no circumstances are they
to be forwarded by mail to the Philip
pines.
The three pamphlets, copies of which |
have been prohibited in the mails for the
Philippines, are those which have the /
following titles: Criminal Aggression bv
Whom?" THE Cost of a National Crime.'
and "The He'll of War and Its Penalties"
These unless something should deveiop
to necessitate further action, may be cir
culated through the mails within this |
country
Large Number Sent Ont.
According 10 Mr.. Atkinson's own state
ment, as reported, a large number of the
pamphlets have been sent out The mat
ter was brought to the attention of tbe
postal officials by the war department
whose authorities We're greatly exercised
with suggestion that some action be TAX
en-. 1t Is thought that there is little possi-
bility OF any of these publications getting
past the San Francisco officers but If
few should do so, the military authorities
in the Philippines win promptly suppress
them.
Postmaster General Smith made this
statement to the Associated Press to-day:
Says They Incite to Mutiny.
These pamphlets actually incite to mu
tiny and 1t would be utterly unjustifable
to permit their circulation among the SOL
diers in the Philippines Their circuIa-
tion is movement to induce the soldiers
to disobey orders. and, in effect to en-
barrass and resist the government In whose
service they are engaged. Their circula
tion, except in the mails fer the Philip
pines, is not interfered with, because. in be-
ing sent to Manila, they are destined for
soldiers fighting our battles; bur in This
country the effort 10 incite to mutny could
have no result.
Not only are they designed TO Incite 10
mutiny the American soldiers in those isl
or Is, but also 10 foment and encourage in
sarrpCiion OH the part of the lsllipI,,.
Such seditious literature as
that now estopped might have. an effect
oil The forces VIC nov are dealing with that
would be inealculably to their advantage
and certainly would tend to stimulate and
strengthen their already weakening oppo-
sition.
Ample Law for Action.
''The law covering the case is ample.
What action might be taken-and the Of
fense 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, however, is plain. He not only
attacks the President and the government
in the most virulent language and disputes
the national policy, but also calls on the
American troops to defy the government.
this government is empowered
10 stop or check, as It sees fit, the clrcu