New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-03
ATKLNSON'S WORK CHECKED.
NO MORE OF HIS PAMPHLETS CAN BE
SENT TO THE PHILIPPINES.
THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS THEM
sEDITIOUS, AND SHUTS THEM OUT OF
THE MAILS To MANILA.

THE MAILS To MANILA
Washington May 2-Postmaster- General
Smith to-day directed the Postmaster at San
Francisco to take out of the mails for Manila
three pamphlets issued by Edward Atkinson, or
Boston, vice e-president of the Anti-lmperialist
League. This order does not apply 10 the circu-
lation Of the pamphlets by mail In this coun-
try, but prohibits their being sent to the Philip
pines To ncite discomfort. and even mutiny
among the soldiers is said by the Department
to be the design Of these publications. The
three pamphlets specifically described ana
under no circumstances are they TO be Forward
ed by mail to the Philippines.
The pamphlets bear the following titles;
Criminal Aggression by Whom" THE Cost Of
National Crime" and THE He'll Of War and
It's Penalties" Unless something should occur
to cause further action, they may be circulated
through the mails within this country. Ac-
ccrdng TO Mr.. Atkinson's own statement, as
reported. large number Of pamphlets have
been sent out The matter was brought 70 the
attention Of the postal officials by the War De-
partment, whose authorities were greatly exer-
cised. with a suggestion that some action be
taken. 1t is thought that there Is little posi-
blity of any of these publications getting past
the San Francisco office. but II few should
do So the military authorities in the Philip
pll4eS VIII promptly suppress tnell"
POSTMAsTER-G GENERALS STATEMENT.
Postmaster General Smith made this state
ment to-day:
These pamphlets actually incite TO mutny,
and It would be utterly unJustfable to permit
their circulation among the soldiers in the Phil
! ippines. Their circulation Is a movement 10 IN
duce the soldiers to disobey orders and In ef-
| feet to embarrass and resist the Government IN
! whose service they are engaged. Their crcua-
! ton. except In the mails for the Philippines is
not interfered with, because. in being sent TO
| Manila they are destined for soldiers fighting
our battles; but in this country the effort to in
| cite to mutiny could have result.
Not only they designed TO incite to mu-
tiny the American soldiers in those islands, but
| also to foment and encourage insurrection on
| the part Of the Filipinos themselves. such sedl-
| tious literature as that now estopped might
! have an effect on the forces we are now dealing
! with that would be incidentally TO their adVan-
tage, and certainly would tend to stimulate
! and strengthen their already weakening oppo-
/ sition The law covering the case is ample.
What action might De taken-and the offence IS
! of the gravest character-is not to he discussed.
do not believe there is any intention 10 prose
cute Mr.. Atkinson. as the matter now stands.
/ The authority to do so, however, Is plain he
not only attacks the President and the Govern
/ nent in the most Virulent language and dls-
putes the National policy, but also calls on the
] American troops TO defy the Government Ger
! tany this Government is empowered to stop
| or check, as It sees fit. the circulation OF these
! sedtious publications.
lISCUSSED IftG CAblNEl i4'N'
One Of the subjects Of discussion at the Cab
inet meeting to-day the circulars which
have been mailed TO the troops at Manila crit
! icising the course Of the Government and ad-
vising volunteers whose terms of service are
| about to expire not to enlist again. A member
| of the Cabinet said that Mr.. Atkinson was un-
! questionably guilty of assisting an insurrection
against the authority of the United States. and
was subject to Imprisonment or a heavy fine, or
both. The law which 1t is said has been vfo-
lated is Section 1894 of the Revised Statutes,
which reads as follows
Every person who incites sets foot, assists or
engages in any rebellion or insurrecton against
the authority Of the United States. the laws
thereof. gives aid or comfort thereto. shall be
punished by imprisonment not more than ten
years, by fine Of not more than $4,000, or by
| both of such punishments, and shall moreover, be
incapable of holding any office under the United
| States
It is said that the Government Is disposed to
regard the acts Of Mr. Atkinson as those Of a
person without any proper conception OF the
gravity OF the offence committed and that no
action may be taken at this time against him
! and his assistants