Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-11-18
ORDERS
SPY PLOTS PROBED
Agents of Department of Justice
at Work.
u. S. CHIEF GOES TO GOTHAM
Head of Bureau of Investigation Will
Confer With Editor of ProvI-
dence Paper and Later
See Goricar.
u. S. CHIEF GOES TO GOTHAM

Washington. Nov. 16.-Every person
against whom legal evidence can be
secured showing completely in plots
against American munition factories,
or in any way against the neutrality
OF the United States will be prose-
cuted without delay.
From now until the close of the war
the corps of special agents investi-
gsting alleged antineutrality plots
will bend their efforts to getting evil
dence strong enough for presentation
to grand juries. And, by direction of
the president, the department of JUS
tice will see that such cases are
pressed to speedy trial.
1t is understood that If any persons
officially accredited to any of the en-
bassies of the warning powers are
shown to have been active in spread
ing propaganda inimical to the inter
ests of the United States. their recall
will be demanded. This especially
applies. it is stated, to Captains Boy
bassy, and to certain officials Of the
austrian embassy.
Wilson Orders Inquiry.
Meanwhile the president has direct
ed Attorney General Gregory and his
chief assistants to probe to the bot
tom all Of the plots upon which their
men are working These include a
reported plan to cripple munition fac
tories by strikes and incendiary fires,
to tie up liners in the munition trade:
to establish submarine bases in the
Caribbean. and to install, under the
guise of amateur plants, wireless
equipment Of character that could
be equipped with the newly-discovered
telephone transmitters.
Unless a complete report is received
by the president from the Department
Of justice no action will be taken Wy
him. He is understood to be of the
opinion that the courts are capable of
disposing of all of the persons con-
cerned in the various alleged plots.
Would End Internal PERIL
This is especially so, he is under
stood to hold, in the cases Of certain
millionaire ship owners and bankers
of international fame who have been
alleged to be the men higher up"
who have financed all of the opera
tons against the munition plants.
The administration is declared to
be very anxious that all the internal
dangers be removed without delay.
The relations with all the warning
belligerents are more or less strained
at the present time, and every effort
Is to be devoted to preventing sympa-
thizers in the United States giving
any of the nations opportunity for
protest.
the Providence (R. H. Journal which
published the first story from DIR.
Joseph Goricar, ex-Austrian consul,
publishes new evidence The chief
statement in the article, which was
telegraphed here, Ia that about $40,-
100000 has been spent in this country
on the Teutonic propaganda.
It was learned definitely that the
government has sure facts concern
ing the activities of the German con-
spirators and propagandists and that
1t will now act arbitrarily.
U. S. Chief to See 3oricar.
A. Bruce Bielaskl, chief of the bu-
reau Of investigation of the depart
ment of justice, left for New York,
where he will confer today with John
Ration, editor of the Providence (R.
- Journal concerning the disclosures
made by DR.. Josef Goricar, former Aus
trial consul in this country.
1t Is understood the department has
been assured by Mr.. Ration that it
will be put in personal touch with Doc
tor Coricar. Before Mr.. Bielask re-
turns to Washington he will probably
hold a conference with the former
consul 1t was stated at the depart
ment that the whereabouts Of Doctor
Goricar are known.