Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-09

out the United States to resign. These
designations have been received.
In this connection 1t may be said
that the Swiss legation, in temporarily
retaining the services Of these German
subjects, was acting with the approval
of the department and under a re-
ciprocal arrangement whereby certain
American citizens were enabled to re-
main with the Spanish embassy in
Berlin to assist that embassy in car
ing for American interests in Ger
many.
This reciprocal arrangement, which
was of temporary nature, is now can
celled by the prompt and complete
compliance OF the Swiss legation with
the departments wishes"
Arrests of German spies, plotters and
suspects have been materially increas-
ed during the last month as result
OF cooperation of several great pri-
vate organizations and scores Of lesser
bodies.
Department of justice officials de-
clared today that services of the Com
mercial Travellers Association, which
rendered the assistance of its members
to the bureau of investigation soon
after war was declared, had been
greatly augmented by the work Of COM
mercial bodies. civic. semi military,
fraternal, charitable, benevolent. edu-
cational and other organizations. as
we'll as employees of other government
departments.
Although these societies have not
been formally taken into the system,
they have been given general instruc-
tons and advice as to methods Of OBJ
servatioE, means of communication
with authorities and other elementary
factors in ferreting out active enemies.
In addition to these, hundreds of indi
Niduals have rendered their services
without compensation to the secret SER
vice. Applications are given searching
investigation before acceptance. how
ever, and the percentage OF those ac-
copied is small.
Few cases Of arrests are ever brought
to public attention.
Under the Presidents proclamation.
it is not necessary to bring suspects to
trial. They are placed in Jail while
their cases are being fully consider
ed. ard, If authorities deem their per
manent detention advisable they are
turnCC over 10 the war department Tor
Incarceration in detention camps.
The United States continued its spy
hunt Saturday, and anticipated that
fresh roundups would soon be forth
coming. :.
Meanwhile cable censorship to thwart
German spies will be made more strin
gent.
The postoffice department Is suppress
sing some issues of various anti-war
publications, including the Appeal to
Reason. the Blast Mother Earth. and
Tom Watson's Jeffersonian, under au-
thority of the new espionage bill. II
cannot suppress these papers perma-
nently, but has the right to keep them
out of the mails il they contain mat
ter prejudical to the interests OF the
United States.
While other anti-spy activities pro-
coed. the government is carefully OBJ
serving labor troubles, particularly in
Colorado and Arizona.
Men in touch with these problems
suggest that German agents are TO-
mentirg trouble, and. indeed, some
senators. including Ashurst Of Arizona,
are receiving letters which charge that
German intrigue Is directly response
BILE for the difficulties, and diverting
troops for guard duty. tend to delay
pr paredness work.