The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-11-10
SEDITION FIGHT
IN S0CIAL.ISTIC
CUISE GROWING
Pro German Workers Join
ing Organization to Mask
Their Activities.

Washington, Nov. 1O-Activity of
government, ret service agents in
this country has caused those engag-
ed IN the interest of Germany to
adopt new tactics. The German SYM
pathizers are now working along
lines that tend to cover the chances
OF detection. Many of them have
Joined the Socialist Party, and are
preaching sedition under the guise
OF Socialist doctrine. Others are en-
gagged in keeping alive strikes in In
dustrial plants, but are careful to
have no part in the original organiza-
ton of the striking forces.
Under these conditions the govern
ment investigating agencies have
found it more difficult to get evid-
ence of pro-German activity The
new methods have apparently en-
couraged some German .sympathizers
who have heretofore been timorous
Of taking a part in the effort to ham
per the United States government in
its, conduct of the war, to busy them
selves in behalf of the Kaiser and
the Fatherland. While this has in
creased the number of workers for
Germany, it has also had the effect Of
trying the patience of government Of
ficials to such an extent that the ad-
ninistration. for sheer protection Of
the country's interest, may be ob1ig-
ed to adopt more drastic measures Of
treating those guilty of sedition.
1t is realized that some injustice
might be done to German sympathiz-
ers who have taken no part in the
plans to hamper the government but
no other course than a comprehen-
sive rounding up Of all persons who
have placed themselves in the position
of being regarded as enemies is be-
Heve1|to be open to the administra-
tioJ unless there is a decided lessen
ing of the present activity. The gov
eminent has been seriously. consider
ing Compelling all enemy aliens to
remove to places remote from the sea-
board and from munitions factories,
but it is now. understood that it has
determined to confine its first eff
forts in this direction to sending to
prison the more dangerous of German
agents, whether actually employed by
the German government or seeking to
sr1u~ Germany by voluntarily doing
what they can to help the Prussian
autocracy to win.
Officials are satisfied that the Ger
man agents have obtained strong
hold on the Socialist party, and point
to the action of some of the Amerf-
can-born intellectual Socialists in
withdrawing from the party as evid-
ence of its pro-German domination,
These Withdrawals have been taking
place for some time, but recently the
number Of German sympathizers who
have undertaken camouflage by pre-
tending to- adopt the Socialist doc
trine has increased. Under cover OF
preaching socialism they are preach
ing sedition, officials say, and it is
becoming increasingly difficult to de-
tect them IN >offenses against the laws
governing espionage, seditfon, and
treason.
It was on account of this new and
concealed form of assisting Germany
that the government suppressed GER
tain Socialist newspapers. Officials
are now thoroughly aware of the diff
ficulties that confront them IN fight
ing sedit1on within the limits of the
United States and will be thankful
for any aid that may come from pa
trtotic citizens who are aware or sus-
picious of what is taking place.
In the early months Of America
entrance into the war the German
agents devoted themselves to TO-
menting strikes and practicing sab
otage in Industrial plants which were
| engaged In war activities for the gov
eminent. They have found this work
interferred with by the constant
watchfulness of government Secret
Service agents, and as a result have
changed their methods in order to
| avoid detection.
Taking advantage of the large num-
Der Of strikes in American industrial
establishments, they have not come
q Ill a.
and have then become active in
preaching sedition in a, guarded way
to the strikers. In plants where strikes
have been brought about on legiti-
mate grounds Of complaint, the Ger
man agents, officials say, have begun
| to carry out system of playing on
| the prejudices at dissatisfied men
with view to turning them against
! the government. This, 1t is asserted,
| has had somes uccess in certain
! plants, but officials are surprised that
| intelligent American workers are per-
hitting themselves to be fooled into
| having their patriotism undermined
| by crude methods of this character.
| President Wilson declined at the
outbreak of the war to order the in
4 ternment of all enemy aliens. He be-
| lieved that such a course would work
much hardship, and his policy was
expressed in a statement from the
Acknowledgement to Germans in this
country to obey the law and keep
| their mouths shut. To thosew no
have followed this Injunction the
| government has no intention of be-
| ing severe, but to the Others who are
either actively engaged in assisting
Germany or who are indiscreet in
/ giving expression to their pro-Ger-
man sympathies, the severest meas
| ures are to be applied.
EITET NFrTVNEE