Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-10
Aid and Comfort to the Enemy

HOSE newspapers and individuals who
1 have declared with so great emphasis that
there is no necessity of a press censorship
in this country are invited to give their at
tention TO an article in the current number
OF the Literary Digest. in which some of the
miSchievous and even reasonable utterances
of pro-German publications are collected.
The showing is an amazing one-ama1ing.
at least, to those who have not considered Of
what the German propa ganda is CT pable. The
article begins with a description OF the efforts
to twist President Wilson's statement that,
among the neutral nations Of the earth.
America had no special grievance against
Germany TO mean that America had no
grievance whatever.
One New York weekly charges that if this
nation were in Gcrmany's position subma-
rlnes would be used by America as Germany
has used them-for the destruction OF both
neutral and enemy shipping and for the MUIR
der OF noncombatants, including women and
children. The Irish hatred OF England finds
vent in some ~lrish-Amcrican periodicals. one
OF which declares I'VE have more to fear
from England than from any other European
power Others express the frank hope that
Britain Will be defeated III this war. without
thinking or caring. seemingly, that this would
involve the defeat and humiliation OF the
United States. German lapguae &c ncwspa pers
III many American cities, if they have not
actually committed treason, have approached
il so closely that the difference is not 10 be
perceived with the naked eye.
\ newspap per in Charleston, S. c.. persists
in calling the great struggle for human lib
critics III which the nation is engaged Wood
row wilson war and i'll one outhurst says:
We are at war because Mr.. Wilson
ana ms slose advisers could not bear to
Stioyed. He loves it. has ravcd over
II. and has surrounded himself with
men some OF whom belonged to il and -
";.hers that worship it. outside
moneErs Of Wall street and He press
oWned i 6 el'h W.i h"s siFaa,, in the 5s"' hmeri or
reor!e are unanimously opposed TO war.
There il: much more OF the same sort of
stuff. as obviously and completely false as it
is dis!oyal. The great outpouring OF Amer
lean manhood in response II the registration
call. the innumerable expressions of patriot
ism heard everywhere on that day. the
throbbing hearts Of the people in every sec
ton. brand with falsehood these base asper-
sions on the character and the conduct of the
nation. II they were in any sense true-if
America. indeed, had shown herself inca "a able
of understanding the call of humanity and
OF resenting wrongs bitter beyond descrip-
indeed. would America deserve
destruction, for she would have shown her
self unfit TO survive.
Ways must be found to deal with the
utterers Of such Calumnies and of those who
inciie TO rebellion against lawful authority.
If a press censorship is not to be provided.
the government must invoke the statutes
q against treason. Treason against the United
States says the Constitution. shall con-
slst only in levying war against them. or in
adherlng 10 their enemies. giving them aid
and comfort" There are newspapers and in
dividuals throughout the land who are adj
herring TO the enemies OF the United States
and giving them aid and comfort Under
the definition Of the Constitution they are
as guilty OF treason as they would be if
they fought in the field against their country.
They should be made 10 feel. and 10 feel
promptly, the heavy hand of the law.