The record-union., 1899-05-03
His Circulars a Violation Of the
Revised Statutes.
Is Likely to Be Brought Up With a Round
Turn if His Action is Repeated.
Orders Issued by the Postmaster
General to Remove From the
Mails Any of His Seditious Cir
culars Destined to Manila.

WASHINGTON, May 2.-The absen-
were Secretaries Gage, Long, Alger and
Wilson. One of the subjects of dis
cussion was the circulars which We're
mailed to the troops at Manila, crit
icising the Philippine policy of the Gov
eminent, and advising 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 Edwin Atkin-
son of Boston, who is believed to have
been largely instrumental in the prep
aration and sending out these circu-
lars, was unquestionably guilty of as
sisting an insurrection against the au-
thority of the United States, and was
subject to a term of imprisonment or
heavy fine, or both. The law which
it is said has. been violated is Section
1894 of the Revised Statutes, which is
as follows:
ANY person who incites, sets on foot,
assists or engages in any rebellion or
insurrection against the authority Of
the United States or the laws thereof.
or gives aid or comfort thereto shall
be punished by imprisonment of not
not more than $4,000, or by both of
such punishments and shall moreover,
be incapable of holding any office I'M
der the United States
What action, if any, will be taken in
the matter, has not been determined,
but it is said that the Government is
disposed to regard the acts of Mr.. At
kinson as those of person without
of he wit
of the offense committed, and the Gov
eminent may not at this time take ac-
ton against Mr.. Atkinson and his as
sistants.
The Postmaster General stated at
the Cabinet meeting that he had or
dered the circulars stopped at San
Francisco.
Members of the Administration regard
Mr.. Atkinson's alleged action as sedi-
tious and disgraceful, and 1T is not i'm
probable that if repeated, prompt and
energetic action will be taken
ORDERS TO STOP THE PAMPHLETS
WASHINGTON, May 2-The Post
master General has directed the Post
master 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 circulation of the pamphlets by
mail in this country, but bars their
dispatch from this country to the Phil
ippines, discomfort and even mutiny
among the soldiers being stated by the
department to be the design of those
publications
The three pamphlets are specifically
described, and under no circumstances
are they to be forwarded by mail to
the Philippines.
The three pamphlets copies CT which
have been prohibited in the mails for
the Philippines. are those which have
the title: Criminal Aggression by
Whom?" 1.-THE Cost of National
Crime and THE He'll 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, large number of the pamphlets
have been sent out.
The matter was brought to the at
tention of the postal officials by the
War Department, whose authorities
were greatly exercised at a suggestion
II. III
thought there is little possibility of anv
of these publications getting past the
San Francisco office. but if q few
should, the military authorities in the
Philippines will promptly suppress
them Postmaster General Smith made
this statement to the Associated Press
to-day:
"These pamphlets actually incite to
dfiable to permit their circulation
among the soldiers in the Philippines.
Their circulation is a movement to in
in effect to embarrass and resist the
Government in whose service they are
engaged Their circulation. except in
the mails for the Philippines. is not III
terferred with, because, in being sent
to Manila. they are destined for sol
diers fighting our 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
American soldiers on those islands but
also to foment and encourage insur-
rection on the part of the Filipinos
themselves
such seditious literature as now
stopped might have an effect on the
forces we are now dealing with. that
would rebound intellectually to their adj
vantage, and certainly would tend to
stimulate and strengthen their already
weakening cause. The law covering the
case is ample. What action might be
taken-and the offense is of the gravest
characters not to he discussed.
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 dis
putes national policy. bu, also calls on
the American troops to defy the Gov
eminent. Certainly this Government is
empowered to stop or check, as it sees
fit, the circulation of these seditious
publications.
THE AUTHOR OF THE PAMPHLETS
BOSTON. May 2.-Hon. Edwin Atkin-