The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-12
BIG TRAITOR HUNT.
MANY INDICTMENTS OF PROPA.
GANDISTS EXPECTED AS
: NEXT DEVELOP
MENT.
Antl-Draft Demonstrations, More la
Dor Disturbances to Cripple War Ill
dustrics, Continued Preachmcnt of
Anti-Ally Sentiment and Other Ac-
tiviticS Planned.

|
djctments for conspiracy to thwart
the governments war plans and tie
its hands in clany ways appear to be
in prospect as u result Of Wednes-
days nationwide raids of Industrial
Workers Of the Worlds offices ,by de-
partnent of justice agents.
Evidence is fast accommodating to
support the belief that a gigantic con-
spiracy has existed for some time
past to cripple the government in car
rying on the war, that it's ramifica-
tiTns have extended into virtually
every State and that numerous anti
war activities which appeared to
emanate from many sources in real
ity had their fountain head in single
group of conspirators
Anti-draft demonstrations, cripp!inc
OF war industries by socalled labor
disturbances and by violence, burn
ing of crops and continuous preach
ment of anti-ally sentiment with 9th
er activities tended to embarras3 tn.
government and retard the exercise O.
Its full strength in prosecuting the
war, appear from recent disclosures to
have been included within the scope
of the alleged conspiracy.
Into the formation and the work
fngs of this alleged conspiracy the de-
partment Of justice has begun an in.
quiry more comprehensive, it is said.
than any launched since the country's
entry into the war.
How closely the anti-war activities
and propaganda have bee n inter-rclat
eel is to be determined largely by the
federal grand jury at Chicago which
Is investigating documents seized by
government agents. in their raids
"Wednesday Of l. w. W. and Socialis.
offices of that city and throughout tn
country. Indications are that the al
= legged conspiracy originated in Chicago
and for some time was actively di-
rected from that city. There also arc
indications that German money fin
anced, In part. this propaganda, tha;
German funds were spent freely in
many ways to further the ends Of the
conspirators and of the many persons
believed to be actively identified in
carrying on the work, few knew thc
source Of financial support.
The grand jury inquiry will not be
confined, from present indications. t,
Chicago. United States attorneys
VINO have not accumulated documen-
taEy evidence which apparently sup
ports the theory Of a great conspir-
aCy are said to be few in number. T.
is probable that much OF this evi-
dencc will be presented later to grand
juries.
So vast is the accumulation of seiz-
&c papers. checks and literature of all
Kinds. that the bulk still lies unsifted
I and the gist and significance of their
contracts probably will not be reached
for several DAYS
William G. Fits. the assistant at
torney general. who conceived the
idea of an inquiry and a nation wide
seizure Of I. w. w. papers at a pre-
arranged hour. devoted virtually his
entire time today to consideration oe
reports from all sections of the conn
| try.
THE results are very satisfying"
was all that Mr.. Fits would saw
Th" governments hands have been
greatlv strengthened hy the seizure of
papers in contemplated PROCEEDINGS
against persons identified with the T.
w. w. ana others whose activities
nave been for some time under SUR
Voi''ancc. Many Of these documents
are said to relate to labor disturbances
in the West and Pacific Northwest
COTTON GINNERS' REPORT