Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-05-24
American Delegates De-
MED Passports to Social
ist Peace Confab.
THREATEN PUNISHMENT
If Men From This Coun-
try Go They'll Be Pros
ecuted, Warned.

WASillNGTON, May 23.-Emphat-
ic disdproval of the peace propaganda
of European Socialists was expressed
.oday ~ the American government,
which denied passports to American
delegates TO the Stockholm confer
cncc and isuc1 n warning that any
American taking part in the negotia-
ions would be legally liable to heavy
punishment.
No formal announcement of pur-
pose was issued but officials explained
that the governments course would
have the twofold effect of discredit
ing generally any peace moves by un
authorized persons and of condemn
ing Ia particular the present Social
list asitatIon-regarded since its incep-
ton as inspired by Germany.
Cites Logan Act.
In making known the decision not
tC give passports to the American
Socialists designated to take part in
the Stockholm conference, Secretary
Lansing cited the Logan act of 1893
as defining punishments which might
T." expected by any American now in
Stockholm or who might go there
without passport and participate I'm
the peace discussions. Under this law
unauthorized persons who directly or
indirectly treat with foreign agents
regarding Controversies Of the United
states may he imprisoned for three
years and fined $1,000.
The American debates TO the con-
ference authorized to represent the
American Socialist party over the pro-
test Of some of its foremost members
are Victor l.. Berger of Milwaukee and
Morris Iiillquit and Algernon Lee of
New York.
Socialists Watched.
American diplomatic agents abroad
have kept close watch on the Socialist
movement and their reports are un-
derstood to show clearly that the CON
ference plan had its origin in Germany
and has met with the active encour-
agement of the German government
Passports already nave been grant
ed to German delegates who will keen
at the front of the negotiations the
slogan of no annexations', inter-
preted here as a cardinal feature Of
Germany's program for a truce to
further consolidate great central
European empire.
Russian Socialists also have select
ed delegates to the meeting, as a re-
suit, it is believed here, of German in
fluence.
Britain AIOOf
The Socialist party of Great Britain
iI'io ltlNStu 10 StHu representatives. 10
Stockholm, its executive committee
declaring that such conference lis
of no real importance and can only
bring ridicule on the Socialist cause. &"
Officials made it clear tonight that
their decision should be regarded
rather as disapproval of the peace
move than as "A reflection upon sim
cerity of Socialists in this country. 1t
was emphasized that great danger
might result if unauthorized persons
attempted at present to negotiate re-
garding peace with foreign agents
who appear in reality instruments of
a cleVerly directed German war move.
Origin of Logan Act.
The so-called Logan act, under
which Secretary Lansing pointed out
such attempts can be punished was
passed by congress in 1893 after DR..
George Logan, q member of the So
ciety of Friends and leader in Penn
sylvanla politics, had made a tour of
France on "a self-constituted mission
calculated to close the widening
breach between the American and
French governments. At that time
diplomatic relations between the two
countries had been severed and there
was every indication that war would