The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-26
Government Announces Dis
c0very of Evidence in
Many Quarters.
ARRIVAL OF RUSSIAN
SHIP PART OF PLOT
u. S. Will Interfere Only
When Agitation Begins
to Obstruct War.

Washington, Dee 25.-Fvidcnce has
been uncovered indicating that An1eri-
can Industrial Workers OF the World.
Russian BolsheViki, Irish agitators
and rovolutionsts in various countries
at war with Germany may be seeking
to lay the foundation of an elaborate
world wide plan to overthrow existing
social orders.
This WAS admitted today by officials
here in connection with news Of the
discovery of a quantity of rifles, re-
volvers and ammunition in the Rus
sian freighter Shillia, which has just
arrived at Il Pacific port manned by
a mutinous Bolshevik crew. Govern
ment agents suspect that the guns
and munitions We're intended for the
|. w. w. in this country, although it
was said u full report on the mysteri-
Gus cargo has not yet been forwarded
by officials at the port of arrival.
Many Other Incidents.
The Shilta incident is only one OF
many cases leading officials to be-
lieve the connection between plotters
in several of the allied countries. may
be more tangible than the indefinite
link OF moral sympathy. Certain Irish
agitators and |. w. w. leaders re-
Gently have gone from the United
States To Russia, after being in close
touch With each other here. and re-
ports have been received that Boil
| shcviki organizers would como to
| America before long to spread their
doctrine of direct action for commu-
nal organization, No objection will be
| raised by the government to any agi-
tation that does not interfere with
| the progress Of the war, officials de-
clare. Officials do not intend to use
| the war uNigoneios as an excuse for
suppresaine free speech except insofar
as 1t leads to hamporing the govern
ment in the fight against the central
powers. This basis of judgment, how
ever. is recognized as broad and will
permit drastic action against foreign
agents whose conduct directly or In
directly fosters Germany's war aims.
Government Will Watch.
Action will he particularly swift, Of
ficials say, when armed resistance to
the law is threatened and when other
|
agitators. Customs inspection will
serve to prevent the importation of
arms and the close supervision OF
crews of incoming and outgoing ves-
sells is expected To make impossible the
traffic Of communications on n large
scale intended to foster revolutionary
; activity. There still are means OF inn
porting money into the United States
but government agents can trace re-
mttances and keep an eye on suspi-
eious expenditures. Exports of money
are governed SO strictly that officials
are certain that the chance of Ameri-
can financing of revolutions in othel
countries is slight.
J Although prosecution of I. w. w
leaders recently has been vigorous of
ficials have evidence which they claim
, shows that the menace of this organ
i2ation, believed to be supported large
~ by German money. remains stron.
Extreme care is being taken to avoi,
, antaEonizing the Bolsheyiki movemen
IL Russia, despite the international ir
ritations it has caused. American OF
), ficials do not care to appear to resis
the development Of democratic ideals
~ even If it assumes the form Of extrem
, aud chaotic Socialism reported in Rus
sia under the new regime. In lin
with this policy, 1t is explained, prep
> arations for dealing with the en-
v croachmont of Rolshcvillism in Amer
y, lea Is not for political reasons but onl
V to insure material safety and to pro
mote moral unity Of this nation
war,