Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-09-08
|. ". v. round UP
Shows WAR PLOT
U. s. Grand Jury Investiga-
ton at Chicago PreIimin-
airy TO Drastic Action
BELIEVE FUNDS CAME
FROM GERMAN SOURCES

WASHINGTON, Sept s.-Numerous
indictments for conspiracy to thwart
the governments war plants and tie its /
hands in every way appear to be in /
prospect as a result OF Wednesdays I
nationwide raid OF Industrial Workers
Of the World oiilces by Department Of
Justice agents.
Evidence is said TO be fast accumulat-
ing to support the belief that a gigantic
conspiracy has existed for some time to
cripple the government in carrying on
the war. that It's qualifications have ex-
tended into virtually every state and
mat numerous anti-wsr activities,
which appeaed TO emanate from many
sources, in reality had their fountain
mead in a single group Of conspirators.
Anti-draft demonstrations, Gripping Of
war industries by so-called labor dis
turbances and By violence, burning Of
crops and continuous preachment Of
anti-Ally sentiment, with other actlyi-
ties tending TO embaTsss the govern
ment and rethrd the exercise of its full
strength in prosecuting the war ap-
pear, from recent disclosures, 10 have
been included within the scope OF the
movement
Into the formation and the workings
Of this alleged conspiracy the Depart
mcnt Of Justice has begun an inquiry
more comprehensive. Il is said. han any
launched since this country's entry
into the war.
How closely the anti-war activities
and propaganda have been interrelsted
! is TO be determined largely by the Fed
eral Grand Jury, now sitting at Chicago
! investigating documents seized by gov
eminent agents in their raid Wednesday
OF l. w. W. and Socialist Offices Of that
city and throughout the country. In
dications are that the alleged conspif-
acy had its origin in Chicago and for
some time was actively directed IRON
that city.
There are also indications that
German money financed. in part. thi}
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 the
work few knew Of this source OF nm
anc' al support.
The Grand Jury inquiry will not he
confined. from present Indications. TO
Chicago. United States attorneys who
have not accumulated documentary
evidence which apparently supports
the theory Of a great conspiracy are
said to be few in number. II is prob
able that much OF this evidence will
be presented to other grand 1uries'
once the extensive plans and work
\ ings of the chief alleged conspirators
arr determined in Chicago.
So vast is the accumulation OF let
ters. checks and papers Of all de-
scrlptions seized by the government
Ingents that the great bulk still lies
unsifted and the exact determination
Of their contents and significance
probably will not be reached for sew
ersl days
william c. Fiitz the assistant at
torney general who conceived md d.
lrectcd the execution OF a. nation-wids
seizure Of I. W. W. papers at prear-
ranged hour. devoted virtually his
entire time yesterday 10 consideration
LOT reports from all sections Of the
lcounfry as 10 the results obtained.
The results ere very satisfying
was all that Mr. Fittz would say.
The governments hands have been
greatly strengthened by the seizure OF
papers in contemplated proceedings
AGAINST persons identified with the l.
W. w. and others whose activ ties
heve been for some time under sur
Vigilance OF the departments Bureau
OF Investigation. Many Of these docu
p ments are said to relate TO labor dis
b turbances in tie west and Pacific
Northwest which recently resulted in
b determination by the government 70
d, use I'll forces al its command, if
necessary. even 10 the exten. Of dis
patching troops TO the scene Of
trouble to prevent Inc tie-up OF war
. industries or the serious curtailmeni
OF their activities.