The Washington times., 1917-12-26
j. S. TO PREVENT
BOLSHEVKI ACTS
IN THIS COUNTRY

Sharp measures have been taken By
the United States Government to pre-
vent any "Bolshevilxi" operations in
this country. In admitting this, off,
cials of the Department OF Justice to-
day simultaneously "clamped down
the lid" on all explanations of just
what is being done to prevent general
revolutions being fostered from the
United States. And until a complete
official report has been received from
the port officials on the Pacific coast
regarding the presence of rifles and
ammunition alleged to have been
brought there in the Russian vessel
Shilka, which was manned by a Boil
sheviki crew, the department refuses
to confirm the report that these muni-
tions were consigned to the Industrial
Workers of the World for revolu-
tionary purposes.
The situation is admittedly peculiar.
The pro-German campaign carried on
within the United States ever since
the commencement OF the world war
still spreads out like q spider web
Included in the activity are the Irish
agitators who have been try
ing to raise enormous sums Of
money to foster revolution ir the
United States. Then there are the
Mexican and Central American revo-
lutlonists who have been fully
financed by German money in the ex-
pectation that they would be. able to
force-a revolution which would neces-
sitate the United States keeping fits
forces occupied here in protecting the
border and coasts. Then the Indus
trial Workers have fostered sabotage
in the mills, mines, and forests of the
West. and they also are alleged to
have been legged on" to impossible
conspiracies by German money.
Ne Efforts Successful
In no instance has any one EFFORT to
make real trouble for the Government
been successful. The efficiency OF the
various governmental bureaus whose
task 1t has been to cope with traitors
and near-traitors has been wonderful.
It Is impossible even to hint at what
has been done, but the wholesale ar
rests made in many sections Of the
country from time to time have pre-
vented any possible organized out
break.
Generally speaking officials say the |
work OF checking plotters has been :
very successful
However, 1t Is admitted that more !
stringent laws are needed to crush
this evil. President VIII ,
son made this rather emphatic In his /,
recent message to Congress. Since ]
that time the Department of Justice |
has been working on proposed new
laws which will be ready to present 4
to Congress as soon as Il reconvenes |
after the holidays. These laws will |
not only increase the powers of the
agents OF the Department OF Justice
but will provide prison terms at hard
labor for both men and women who
plot against the United States, orf
who plan to use the territory of the
United States for plots to overthrow
the existing order of things.
1t Is expected that very soon the
entire propaganda OF the Industrial
Workers of the World will have the
spot light OF publicity thrown upon
Il when the trials OF the leaders ar
rested some months ago begin in
Chicago. Although the Department
of Justice is not revealing its case
n advance, it Is stated that the evil
ience which Is ready to be presented
'or the jury that will try these agi-
.ators will show conclusively the
Iource Of the money which was used
% recruit the membership OF the
direct actionists."
Criticism Unwarranted.
In this connection officials close to
he Administration today emphasize |