The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-09-11
GERMAN MONEY
BACKED |. v. v.
MANY INDICTMENTS EX-
PECTED TO FOLLOW.
Evidence Points to Gigantic
Conspiracy to Tie Govern
ments Hands.

indictments for conspiracy to thwart
he 'e"nmen:s war plans AMI tie
its harG' in p.anv WAYS appear to
be in '-"spect AZ result u: We'd
nesday s nation vide raid os Indus
trial Workers OF the World Offices by
Department OF Just'"e agents.
Evidence is said to be accumu-
lating to support the belief that a
gigantic conspiracy has existed for
some time past to cripple the GOV
ernment in carrying on the war.
that it's ramifications have extended
into virtually every state and that
numerous anti-war activities, which
appeared to emanate from many
sources in reality had their fountain
head in a single group OF conspir-
ators
Anti draft demonstrations, Grip
pling OF war industries by so-called
labor disturbances and by violence.
burning OF crops and continuous
anti-ally sentiment with other ac-
tivities tended to embarass the gov
ernment and retard the exercise of
its full strength in prosecuting the
war, appear. from recent disclosures
TO have been included within the
scope of the alleged conspiracy.
Thorough Inquiry.
Into the formation and workings
OF this alleged conspiracy the De-
/ n a RI mr. nf
inquiry more comprehensive. 1t is
said, than any launched since this
country's entry into the war
How closely the anti-war activi-
ties and propaganda have been inter
related is to be determined largely
by the federal grand jury at Chica-
go, which is investigating documents
seized by government agents in
their raids Wednesday OF I. w. w.
and Socialist offices OF that city and
throughout the country. Indfca-
tions are that the alleged conspir-
acy originated in Chicago and for
some time was actively directed
from that city. There are also in
dications that German money hnan-
ced in part this propaganda, that
the German funds were spent free
ly in many ways to further the ends
Of conspirators and that from many
persons believed to be actively iden-
tiied with carrying on the work
few knew of this source OF financial
support.
Not Confined to Chicago.
The grand jury inquiry will not
he confined, from present indica-
tions. to Chicago. United States
attorneys, have not accumulated doc
mentary evidence which apparently
support the theory of a great CON
spiracy are said to be few in number
1t is probable that much OF this evil
dence will be presented later to 9TH
er grand juries.
So vast is the accumulation OF
seized letters. checks and papers of
all descriptions that tho great bulk
still lies unsifted and the exact de-
termination Of their contents and
/
reached for several days.
William c. Fits. the assistant
Attorney General, wha conceived
and directed execution of the idea Of
nationwide seizure OF I. w. w.
papers at pre-arranged hour. de-
voted virtually his entire time today
to consideration OF reports from all
sections OF the country.
"The results are very satisfying"
was all that Mr.. Fits would say.
Its Hands Strengthened
The governments hands have
been greatly strengthened by the
seizure OF papers in contemplated
proceedings against persons identi-
fed with the I. w. w. and others
whose activities have been for some
time under surveillance. Many OF
these documents are said to be re-
lated to labor disturbances in the
West and the Pacific Northwest.
Department OF justice officials
said today that the investigation
probably will be prolonged. Uni
ted States Attorney Cline is to be
assisted by Frank G. Daley, of In
dianapolis, and Frank X. Nebeker,
OF Salt Lake City. and the entire in
vestigation will be conducted under
the personal supervision OF William