The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-09-08

|. ON CONSPIRACY
CHARGES LIKELY
Raid On I. W. W. Offices
Expected to Result in
Many Prosecutions
COMPREHENSIVE
PROBE BEGUN
Indications That German
Funds Were Spent In
Many Ways
CBy Associated Press.1


Washington, Sept. s.-Numerous
indictments for conspiracy to thwart
the governments war plans and tie
it's hands in many ways appear to be
in prospect as a result of Wednes-
days nationwide raid of Industrial
Workers of the World offices by de-
partment of justice agents.
Evidence is said to be fast ac-
cumulating to support the belief
that a gigantic conspiracy has ex-
listed for some time past to cripple
the government in carrying on the
war, that it's ramifications have eX-
tended into virtually every state and
that numerous anti-war activities
which appeared to emanate from
any sources in reality had their
fountain head in single group of
cOnspirators. e.
Anti-d draft demonstrations, Grip
pling Of war industries by socalled
labor disturbances and by violence,
burning of crops and continuous
preachment of anti-ally sentiment
with other activities tended to en-
barrass the government and retard
the exercise of it's full strength in
prosecuting the war appear, from
recent disclosures, to have been in
cluded within the scope of the AL
legged conspiracy.
Into the formation and the work.
ings of this alleged conspiracy the
department of justice has begun an
inquiry more comprehensive, it is
said, than any launched since this
countrys entry into the war.
Centered In Chicago.
How closely the anti-war activi-
ties and propaganda have been in
ter-related 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
!. w. w. and Socialist offices in that
city and throughout the country. In
dications are that the alleged con-
spiracy had it's origin in Chicago and
for some time was actively directed
from that city.
There are also indications that
German 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 be-
lieved to be actively identified in
carrying on the work, few knew Of
this source of financial support.
The grand jury inquiry will not
be confined from present indications,
to Chicago. United States attorneys
who have not accumulated docu-
mentary evidence which. apparently
supports the theory Of a great con-
spiracy are said to be few in num-
Der. It is probable that much of this
evidence will be presented to other
grand juries, once the extensive
plans and workings Of the chief al
legged conspirators are determined In
Chicago. r
So vast is the accumulation of
letters, checks and papers of all de-
scriptions seized by the government
agents that the great bulk still. lies
unsifted and the exact determination
OF their contents and Significance
probably will not be reached for sew
eral days.
William c. Fits, the assistant at
torney general who conceived and
directed execution of the idea Of a
nationwide seizure Of !. W. w. pa
pers at a prearranged hour devoted
virtually his entire time yesterday
to consideration of reports from all
sections Of the country as to the re-
results obtained. -
The results are very SatlSIac-
tory" was all that Mr.. Fits would
say.
The governments hands have been
greatly strengthened by the seizure
of papers in contemplated proceed
ings against persons identified with
the !. w. w. and others whose &C
tiyities have been for some time I'M
der surveillance of the departments
bureau of investigation. -
Many OF these documents are.
said to relate to labor disturbances
IN the west and the Pacific north
west which recently resulted in de-
termination by the government to
use all forces at its command, II
necessary, even to the extent OF dis
patching troops to the scene.