The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-31
Literature Found in Print Shop
at Columbus, Ohio.
Headquarters Are Opened for
League in New York City.
SAY CONSUMPTION IMMORAL
Speakers at Madison Square
Garden Dare Interference.
"We Are Rapidly Becoming
Prussianized," One Insists.

Washington, May 31.-Government
authorities today ran down three cases
of anti-conscription propaganda. aim
ed at giving slackers a chance to
dodge military service.
The first case was at Columbia uni
versity, New York, the two men and
one woman student being arrested
there upon personal direction of Attor-
ney General Gregory. They will be
made an example," it was stated
here, il the government proves they
distributed the anti-registration litera-
ture. Justice officials today wired
New York authorities to insist on
heaviest possible bail for them.
The second case was concrete evil
dence from several point that slackers
attempting to flee the country to
escape service.
In one such case California agents
removed youth from boat bound
for Mexico.
The third case was discovery that
an association calling itself the World
Peace association. is sending out liter
allure urging youths of military age to
joint the organization and then regis
ter as exempt because of religious
scruples." The League to Enforce
Peace turned up the World Peace as
sociation's activities to the government
today.
Later in the day came word from
Topeka, Kan, that three arrests for
conspiracy against registration had
been made there. In the arrest at
Topeka, DIR. Eva Harding. well
known suffragist and former candi-
date for congress, is included in the
governments action. DIR. Harding
probably is the most noted of any of
the anti-drafters arrested so far.
Columbus, Ohio, May 31.-A gil
gantic propaganda plot, with national
headquarters in this city. organized
to induce young men of military age
all over the United States to refrain
from registering for conscription next
Tuesday has been uncovered by state
and government secret service agsnts.
according to announcement made this
afternoon by Gov. James NJ. Cox.
Details of the plot which was said
to have extended into many states
became Li.own when United States
marshals raided print shop and Of
fices at 1111z South High street,
where practically all the propaganda
literatur. was printed and distribut-
ed
1t was stated that the plct appear
ed to be well financed and well or
ganized.
Calls It Immoral.
New York, May 31.-The conscrip-
ton law was characterized today as
! both immC raj and unconstitutional at
/ the first American Conference on
! Democracy and Terms of Peace.
which was again in session today at
Madison Square garden with Socialists
and pacifists in attendance. Tho
! speaker was Daniel Kiefer. OF Gin.
cinnati, who was introduced after Or.
JUDAH L. Magnes. one of the organ-
izers of the conference had referred
to newspaper dispatches from Wash
ington telling of the purpose of the
department of justice to take steno-
graphic notes at peace meetings and
prosecute those who infringe the law.
/ Il don't know whether this is the
kind of meeting the department of
justice means" said Magnes but if
it is, and there are stenographers here,
! would like to invite them to this
platform where they may see and
hear everything that transpfres. In
/ Prussia at political meetings the
! stenographers are seated on the plat
form. They take notes and report to
I the government Inasumch we
are very rapidly becoming Prussian-
lied we should follow the Prussian
/ example at our meeting"
DR.. Magnes pointed out that the or
GAMERS of the conference had re-
! solved that proposed adoption of any
action contrary to the law would be
declared out of order but that they
( regarded as perfectly within the law
ard favored all discussion as to the
wisdom and unwisdom of existing
/ laws"
Kiefer in his address advised appeal
to the courts as the first duty of q
patriotic citizen who has been draft
, ed
: THE CONSUMPTION act" he said. '-ia
both immoral and unconstitutional
1t violates the prohibition against in
voluntary servitude."
Arrests i'm Other Cities.
Three men already are under arrest
in this city in connection with the
plot and it was said that farther ar
rests would be made both here and in
other cities of Ohio and rhe middle
west within the next few hours IL
was said that the men already under
arrest here would be arraignsd late
this afternoon on charges of treason.
Shortly after noon the raid was
made on the PRINT shop headquarters