The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-09-01
The suppression of sedition

The sentiment expressed in differ
ent parts of the United States, today,
with regard to seditious utterances
and acts, makes it evident that a cris-
is in the treatment of this particular
problem is rapidly approaching, if it
is not already at hand. Elihu Root
dealt with the situation in terms that
must have recalled to his audience,
and to thousands throughout the
country, the declaration that, more
than half century ago, stamped
John A. Dix hero and a leader.
"How long," asked the Pittsburg
Post of last Tuesday, will the Amer
lean people permit the liberty of this
country to be used for its destruc-
tion?" and, for one thing, it pointed
to the liberation of Mayor William
Republican, which has been preaching
sedition day in and day out for
months past. On Thursday the ques-
ton was partly answered by pub
LEGATION in Aurora, one of the largest
Illinois towns adjacent to the city
named. 1--WE represent the merchants
of Aurora" said a spokesman for
the Indignant citizens to an agent of
Mayor Thompson's newspaper, land
demand of you not to distribute any
more of these papers in this town.
fight for their country, and we are
going to protect our cities while they
are gone"
Thus we have a voice from the
East and one from the West. The
Northwest is heard through the Du-
luth Herald and st. Louis Dispatch
The former marks as dangerous those
who oppose sending troops to Europe !;
those who, not daring to resist the
Government, seek to undermine its
efforts by attacks upon it's Allies +;
those who spread reports likely to
hamper the nations war plans
those who keep within the law
while secretly aiding the enemy. The
latter journal says: "Just now there
can be no such thing as the free
speech which cOunsels resistance to
the laws" Minnesota always has
been loyal. Today it will yearn to vim
dictate that loyalty by bringing to
sharp and swift justice the enemies
in its borders whose presence and ac-
tivities have tainted its fair name"
In the South and Southwest, but
one opinion is expressed with refer
ence to the treatment that should be
accorded the organizations engaged
in the Indictment of strikes. In the
Pacific Northwest, the Oregonian is
pronounced and unceasing in calling
for drastic action against the Peoples
Council and the /. w. w. both of
which are denounced as seditious or.
CARNATIONS. Speaking of the first
named, it says: "This organization is
in the same class as the German spy
who has been arrested at Seattle, and
to whom is aScribed the initiative in
the industrial troubles which dis
turb the State of Washington; also
with the misguided people who resist
the draft in Oklahoma; also with the
/. w. W., which has done much to
paralyze industry in the lumber dis
tricts of the Pacific Coast and in the
copper mines of Arizona and Mon
tana. All are anti-American and pro-
German in effect probably in intent. I"
In the opinion of the Ol<lahoman, the
only way to deal with that section of
the German-American press which
is persistently striving to stir up dis
cord and disorder in the United
States is to eradicate it."
1t may be thought that the lang
uage used by some of the newspa-
perS published between the Alleghen-
les and the Pacific Coast In dealing
with sedition tends to be violent, but
it may be pointed out that it is no
more so than that which the Union
League Club of New York enthusiast
tically applauded, a few nights ago.
Moreover, investigation carried on in
the New England States reveals the
necessity of quite as much watchful-
ness, on the part of loyal citizens, as
appears to be essential in the mining
section. The South is as insistent as
the North upon prompt and positive
action that vii protect the Republic
from its enemies within. And the
Government has given assurance that
it will act in due time and with neces-
sary Vigor.-Science Monitor.