The sun., 1917-05-24
NO PASSPORTS
FOR SOCIALISTS
L. S. Condemns Stockholm
Conference as German
Propaganda.

WASHINGTON, May 23.--Emphatic dis
approval OF the peace propaganda OF Eu-
ropean Socialists was expressed to-day
by the American Government. which de-
MED passports to American delegates to
the Stockholm conference and issued a
warning that any American taking part
! in the negotiations would be liable to
heavy punishment.
officials explained that the Govern
ment's course would have the twofold
effect of discrediting generally any peace
moves by unauthorized persons and OF
condemning in particular the present So
cialist agitation, regarded since its in
ception as inspired by Germany.
Secretary Lansing cited the Logan act
OF 1893 as defining the punishment
which might be expected by any Ameri-
can How in Stockholm or who might go
there without passport and participate
, in the peace discussions Under this
law unauthorized persons who directly
or indirectly treat with foreign agents
regarding controversies OF the United
States may be imprisoned for three
years anG fined $1,000.
The American delegates to the confer
ence are Victor L. Berger of Milwaukee
and Morris Hillquit and Algernon Lee OF
New York. They were selected by the
party's executive committee after a
notable group Of Socialists. headed by
Charles Edward Russell and William
English Walling, had condemned the
movement IN a joint statement as the
most dangerous OF all the Kaiser's
plots"
The same statement denounced Hill
quit and Lee. who are Socialist writers.
as radically pro-German Berger. a ma
tive of Austria Hungary. has been editor
of several German language newspapers
/ in Milwaukee.
American diplomatic agents abroad
have kept close watch on the Socialis:
movement. and their reports are under
stood to show clearly that the plan for
a conference at Stockholm had It's orig n
in Germany, and has met with the active
announcement of the German Govern
ment Passports already have been
granted 10 German delegates. Russian
Socialists also have selected delegates
TO the meeting as Il result, Il is believed
here, OF German influence The Socialist
party OF Great Britain has refused to
send representatives.
The so-called Logan act was passed
by Congress In 1929 after DR.. George
Logan, member of the Society Of
Friends and n leader in Pennsylvania
politics. had made tour OF France on
self-constltuted mission calculated to
Hose the widening breach between tho
American and French Governments. The
language OF the act follows
Every citizen OF the United States,
whether actually resident or abiding
within the same or In any foreign
country, who without the permission
or authority OF the Government di.
rectly or indirectly commences or car
ries on any verbal or written corre-
spondencc or intercourse with any for
eign Government or any officer or
agent thereof with an intent to in
fuence tho measures or conduct OF
any foreign Government or of any Of
hcer or agent thereof in relation 10
any disputes or controversies with the
United States or 10 defeat the .ncls-
ures OF the Government OF tho United
states; and every person being citl-
zen Of or resident within the United
States and not duly authorized who
counsels, advises or assists IN any
such correspondence with such iniet:
shall he punished by fine Of not more
than $4,000 and by Imprisonment dur
| Ing term not less than six months
nor more than three years.