Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-12-26
Worldwide revolt
PLANNED BY |. v. ".
BoIsheviki, Irish Agitators Also
Involved in Plot.
SHILkA INCIDENT IS CITED
Arms and Ammunition Found on Rus
sian Ship Believed by Federal
Agents to Be Intended for
Revolt.

Washington, Dec. 26.--Evidence has
been uncovered by government agents
indicating that American Industrial
Workers of the World, Russian boil
sheviki, Irish agitators and revolution
lists in various countries at war with
Germany may be seeking to lay the
foundation Of an elaborate worldwide
plan to overthrow existing social or
ders.
This was admitted by officials here
In connection with news of the discOv-
cry Of quantity of rifles, revolvers
and ammunition in the Russian freight
er Shilka, which has just arrived at a
Pacific port manned by mutinOus boil
sheviki crew.
Government agents suspect that the
guns and munitions were intended for
the Industrial Workers of the World
In this country, although it was said
full report on the mysterious cargo
has not yet been forwarded by Off
Gals at the port of arrival.
Other Evidence Seen.
The Shilka incident is only one Of
many cases leading officials to believe
the connection between plotters in sew
eral Of the allied countries may be
more tangible than the indefinite link
Of moral sympathy.
Certain Irish agitators and I. W. W.
leaders recently have gone from the
United States to Russia, after being
in close touch with each other here,
and reports have been received that
bolsheviki organizers would come to
America before long to spread their
doctrine of direct action for communal
organization.
Action will be particularly swift, Of
ficials say, when armed resistance to
the law is threatened and when other
material forces, are employed by the
agitators.
Customs inspection will serve to
prevent importation of arms, and the
close supervision of crews of incom-
ing and outgoing vessels is expected
to make impossible the traffic of COM
munications on a large scale intended
to foster revolutionary activity.
|. w. w. Menace Strong.
Although prosecution of l. W. W.
leaders recently has been vigorous, Of
flcials have evidence which they claim
shows that the menace of this organ
ization, believed to be supported large
ly by German money, remains strong.
Further action against the agitators
is forecast. This will be FASTENED If
1t is found that the band is working
with Russian bolsheviki leaders to
bring about a premature peace in Ger
many's interests, or to hamper Amer
lea at home. .-
n Captain Denies Mutiny.
A Pacific Port, Dec. 26.-Reports
\ that the bolsheviki crew Of the Shilka,
Russian freighter in port here, NUT
inied when the vessel was few days
out of Russian port were denied by
Captain Boris Bedel, master of the
vessel. The captain said he was an
officer of the Russian navy and as.
serted all his men were enlisted SAIL
Ors and subject to his orders.
u The presence of all guns and am
munition found on board the vessel by
federal officers, the captain explained
by saying the Shilka was formerly q
naval vessel, and when she entered the
merchant service her arms and am
munition were stored in the hold.
He also denied rumors that his ship
carried gold for defense Of Industrial
Workers of the World on trial in Chi