The Sentinel=record., 1917-12-26

Washington, Dec. Evidence has been uncovered by government agents indicating that American Industrial , Workers of the World, the Russian Bolsheyik, the Irish agltators and reyolutiOnists in various countries at war with Germany, may be seeking to lay the foundation of an elaborate worldwide plan to overthrow exist ing social orders.
 This was admitted today by officials here in connection with news of the discovery of arms and ammunition on the Russian freighter Shilka. which has just arrived at Pacific port, manned by a mutinous l}olsheyilu crew, The Shilka incident is only one of many cases leading officials to be- lieve the connection between plotters
 in several of the allied countries nNay
 be more tangible than the indefinite | link of moral sympathy.
 Certain Irish agitators and l. w. w, 1 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 Bolshevild organizers would come to
 America before long to spread their
 doctrine of direct action for communal
 organization. No objection will be
 raised by the government 10 any agi- , tation which does not interfere with
 the progress of the war, officials de
 clare.
 1 Officials do not intend to use war exigencies as an excuse for suppress , ing free speech except insofar as it
 leads to hampering the government in
 the fight against the central powers. IThisn basis of judgment, however Is recognized as broad and will permit
 dramatic action against foreign agents
 whose conduct directly or indirectly ] fosters Germany's far aims.
 l 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 f agitators. Customs inspection will serve to prevent importation of arms, and the close supervision of crews
 of incoming and outgoing vessels is expected to make impossible the traf- ] fic of communications on a large scale intended to foster revolutionary activity.
 There still are means of importing money to the United States, but gov ernment agents can tEace rendttances
 and keep watchful eysA on suspicious expenditures. Exports cG 6lloney are governed so strictly hg the govern uent that officials arc certain that the chance of American financing of revolutions in other countries IS
 slight.
 Although prosecution of I. w.. w. leaders recently has been vigorous,
 officials have evidence which hhey claim shows that the menace of this organization believed to be support ed largely by German money remains strong. Further action against the agltators is forecast. This win be hastened if it is found that the band Is working with Russian BolsheYiki leaders to bring about a premature peace in Germany's interests, or to hamper America at home.
 Extreme care is being taken by this 1 government to avoid antagonizing the ! Bolshevih movement in Russia, de- spite the International irritations it has caused. American officials do not care to appear to resist the develop ment of democratic ideals, even If ii
 assumes the form Of extreme and aha otic socialism reported in Russia un- der the new regime Tn line with this
 policy, it is explained, preparations for ! dealing with the encroachment Of Bolshevikism on America is not for
 political reasons but only to insure
 material safety and to promote moral
 unity of this nation in the war.