The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-09
To Take Drastic Measures
with "Hyphen-
ates"
"CITIZENS" ARE
INVOLVED
They Are Financing the So
Called Peace
Moves

Washington, March 9.-Conspirator
against this country in the imbrogli,
with Germany will face charges of trea
son should they prove to be citizens o
the United States, and will receive thu
extreme penalty of the law in the even
of their conviction.
Administration officials are planning
prosecutions along this line to suppress
the activities of the so-called "hyphen
ates" and German spies whose machina
tions are menaeing the presidents policy
to protect American commerce from the
ruthless submarine warfare.
1t was asserted yesterday by high
official that some of the acts of foreign
born citizens and persons having foreign
affiliations have approached sedition, and
that drastic measures will be adopted to
crush all conspiracies directed against
this government by that class Of citizen
ship.
The department of justice has a mass
of evidence relating to various organiza-
tions comprising membership of paci-
fists and "hyphenates" who are suspect
ed of sinister motives. Some of the or
CARNATIONS are operating, it was said
yesterday, under the guise OF being pure
ly peace promoters, but in reality are
nothing more than pro-German agencies
to muddle the affairs OF the administra
ton, and perhaps embroil this country
with Mexico and Japan.
One phase of the investigation by the
department of justice is a searching in
quiry as to the origin of the funds used
to finance the so-called peace propagan-
das and suspected plots.
while there is absolute proof that
money has been furnished by the German
government to foster certain enterprises,
it is regrettable that most of the funds
in the latest movements TO promote
peace have been raised in this country"
said an administration official yesterday.
The department of justice has in its
possession list of American or so-called
German American subscribers to several
propagandas before the rupture of rela-
tons between the United States and
Germany, but it could not be learned
yesterday whether the agents have un-
earthed the financial hackers of the
peace movements" originating since the
break.
1t was admitted that a search is being
made for these fnanciens and also that
efforts are being made to ascertain
whether any of the kaiser's coin is being
used
President Wilson is extremely nettled
over the efforts OF both the "wilful" and
the misguided pacifsts who are endeav-
oring to befog the issues in the German
situation. His intolerance for "hyphen-
ates" is well known and it il understood
that the determination Of the depart.
ment of justice TO uncover unpstriotic |
"citizens" had its inception in directions |
from the White House.
The belief that there is master spy"
abroad in the United States directing the |
operations of a small army of German |
agents and representatives is heightened |
by the latest developments showing a
thoroughly organized espionage system.
Confessions by DIR. Ernest Sekunna, a
German chemist, and DR.. Chandra Chak.
raberty, a Hindu physician, arrested in
New York this week, have added to this
belief
Wolff Won lgel. the attache of the Ger
nan embassy who returned to Germany
with Count Won Bernstorff after indict
nents against him had been dismissed,
rave instructions to the two doctors, ac.
,ording TO their confessions, but it was
aid here yesterday that Won Igel is not
believed to have been the directing gen
us behind the German propaganda.
Prominent German Americans who are
,nown by the department of Justice to
AVE been active, both personally and
in the last peace propagandas
re now under almost constant surveil.
ance and will continue objects of sus-
'ieions during the period that this coun-
~ remains automatically estranged
With Germany. That they may feel the
reight of the law for unpatriotic parts
hey may play was said yesterday to be
nore than possibility if their activities
o not cease.
In line with the administration pol
" of eliminating all individuals of pro-
erman tendencies and German nativity
rom posts of honor and Importance is
he ordering of a careful inquiry into
he personnel of the army and navy. IL
understood that secret orders have
one forth TO officers to be alert for sus.
icious persons in the service.