The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-09-08
Nationwide Conspiracy
Against Government In
dicated by Documents.
ENEMY GOLD USED TO
SPREAD PROPAGANDA
Gripping Of War Industries
Throughout Country Part
of Big Scheme.
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
Washington. Sept. 7.-Numerous
indictments for conspiracy. to
thwart the governments war plans
and tie its hands in many Ways
appear to be in prospect as re.
suit Of Wednesdays nation wide
raid OF Industrial Workers Of tho
World offices by department Of
justice agents.
Evidence is said to be fast ac-
cur,ulat'no to support the belief
that a gigantic conspiracy bas ex.
isted for some time past to cripple
the government in carrying on the
war, that its ramfications have
extended into virtually every state
and that numerous anti war act,v-
tiles had their fountain head in a
single group Of conspirators.
To Tie Governments Hands.
Anti draft demonstrations. Gripping
Of war industries by so-called labor
disturbances and by violence, burning
of crops aud continuous preachment
of anti-ally sentiment. with other ac-
tivitics tending 10 embarrass the gov
crnmcnt and retard the exercise of its
fun strength IN prosecuting the war.
appear from recent disclosures. 10
have been included within tho scope OF
the alleged conspiracy.
Into the formation and the work.
ings of this alleged conspiracy. tho
department of Justice has begun an
| bay, q yiVs n ic said.
than any launched since this country's
entry into the war.
In Hands Of Grand Jury.
How closely the anti war activities
| and propaganda have been inter-re-
| lated Is to be determined largely by
the federal grand jury. now sitting at
| Chicago, investigating documents
| seized by government agents In their
| raids Wednesday of 7, w. ". and So
eialisi offices of that city and through
out the country.
There are also indications that Ger
man money financed. in part, this
propaganda. that German funds were
spent freely in many ways to further
| the ends of the conspirators and that
of the many persons believed to be
actively identified in carrying on tho
work. few knew of this source Of fl
nancial support.
The grand jury inquiry will not be
confined from present Indications. ia
Chicago United States attorneys,
who have not accumulated documen
tary evidence which apparently sup
ports the theory of great eonspr-
aey. are said to be few in number.
SO vast is the accumulation of let
ters. checks and papers of all dcscrip-
tions seized by the government agents
that the great bulk still lies unsifted
and the exact determination Of theii
contents and significance probably vii
not be reported for several days
Inspecting Documents.
William G. Fits, the assistant at.
torney general. who conceived and di'
rected the execution of the idea of /;
nation widc' seizure of I. w. W. papers
at pre-arranged time. devoted virtu
ally his entire time today to consid
Grafton of reports from all sections o
the country as to the results obtained
1.-THE results are very satisfying.
was all that Mr.. Fits would say
The governments hands have beel
greatly strengthened by the seizure o
papers in contemplated proceeding
ainst persons identified with the
W. w. and others whose aetivitie
, have been for some time under sur
Veillance of the departments hurea
, Of investigation.