The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-08-10
ROUNDING UP
SOCIALISTS
Former Candidate for Gov
ernor of Minnesota
Under Arrest

Minneapolis, Aug. 10.-J. o. Ben
tall, socialist candidate for governor
of Minnesota in the last primaries
and a widely known socialist orator,
was arrested at Litchfield, following
closely on the arrests In st. Paul Of
Fritz Bergmeier, president and bust
ness manager of the Volkszeitung,
and of Abe Sugarman, state secre-
tary of the socialist party.
The arrests were said to be the be-
ginning of a rigid prosecution Of men
whose activities are considered de-
trimentaI to the prosecution OF the
war. .vrr.-.
Bentall will be brought to the
Twin Cities to be arraigned, accord
ing to agents Of the department Of
justice. w.
Bentall, who is past so years old,
spoke at a meeting in Hutchinson
and fled from the town after Post
master Samuel Anderson threatened
to thrash him for alleging the Hutch
inson postoffice had delayed anti
draft and pacifist mail.
Was Caring for Cows.
He spoke in other towns and left
hurriedly when feeling became
strong and fed down a rear stairway
in Minnehaha hall, st. Paul, after an
address there two weeks ago.
He was arrested while caring for
his cows, which he compared to the
audience he addressed in the Henne-
pin county courthouse on the Sunday
following the breaking Of relations
with Germany.
Doesn't Care Who Rules.
In that address Bentall said:
What do we care If German soldiers
land on American soil. We would
faHvR l..
down and be happy here. Suppose
they should go to Washington and
take over the government. What
would we care so long as our indus
tries are left, so long as we are fed
and are happy?
When the audience began yelling
and cheering and stamping the floor
he raised his hand and said:
Now don't be carried away. Be
calm. You know the cows out on
my farm in Litchfield can be STAN
peded the same way"
Bergmeier's Writings Questioned.
Bergmeier was arrested on orders
from Alfred Jacques, assistant United
States district attorney. and will be
interned as an alien enemy, accord
ing to T. e. Campbell, agent Of the
department Of justice. "
He is accused Of seditious writings
and violations of the alien enemy act |
prohibiting aliens from writing or |
publishing threats or attacks against |
the government. 4a
Sugarman is accused of attempt |
ing to incite INSTRUMENTATION, disloy- |
atty and mutiny by urging men not |
to respond to the draft. He will |
have an examination today before |
United States Court Commissioner |
Samuel Whaley. His bail is fixed at !
$1,000 and he is still in Jail. The |
miximum penalty is 20 years in pris- |
on on conviction and fine of $4,000. |
object to Pershing Item. |
1t was reported at the district at |
torney's Office that reflections on |
General John J. Pershing contained |
in an editorial in the Volkszeitung |
were among the articles which the |
found Objectionable. The |
reflections on the leader of the AM |
erican expeditionary force IN France |
were said to read as follows:
I'VE know that Pershing is clever |
and diplomat and that he is popu-
lar among the ladies. Now we may
expect to hear some things about
his military ability.
The Volkszeitung, while 1t did not
openly approve the numerous anti |
draft and antiforeign service meet
ings held in the state. took pains, 1t
is understood, to commend very high
ly speakers who took part in the
program at the New Ulm peace meet
ing.
Under the enemy alien proclama-
ton DR.. Bergmeier may remain in
custody until the president orders
his release.