The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-26
|. w. W., Bolshevili and
Irish Rerovutionists
Are Closely Linked
GOVERNMENT WILL
ACT PROMPTLY
When Agitation Interferes
With War, Punishment
Will Be Swift
81 Associated Press.l

Washington, Dec. 26.-Evidence
has been uncovered indicating that
American Industrial Workers of the
World, Russian Bolsheviki Irish
agitators and revolutionists in vari-
Gus countries at war with Germany
may be seeking to lay the foundation
of an elaborate worldwide plan to
overthrow existing social orders.
This was admitted today by offi-
cials here in connection with news Of
the discovery Of a quantity Of rifles,
revolvers and ammunition in the
Russian freighter Shilka, which has
just arrived at a Pacific port manned
by a .muitinous .Bolsheviki crew.
Government agents suspect that the
guns and munitions were intended
for the /. w. w. in this country,
although it was said a full report on
the mysterious cargo has not vet
been forwarded by officials at the
port of arrival.
But One of Many.
The Shilka incident is only one OF
many cases leading officials to
believe the connection between plot
tiers in several of the allied countries
may be more tangible than the
indefinite link Of moral sympathy.
Certain Irish agitators and !. w. w.
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
Bolshevilzi organizers would come to
America before long to spread their
doctrine of direct action for COM
munal organization.
No objection will be raised by the
government to any agitation Which
does not interfere with the progress
of the war, officials declare. Officials
do not intend to use the war
exigencies as an excuse for suppress
ing free speech except insofar as 1t
leads to hampering the government
in the fisht against the central pow
ers. This basis Of judgment, how
ever, it recognized as broad and viii
permit drastic action against foreign
agents whose conduct directly or
indirectly fosters Germany's war
aims.
Action will be particularly swift,
officials say, when armed resistance
to the law is threatened and when
other material forces are employed
by the agitators. Customs inspection
viii serve to prevent importation OF
arms, and the close supervision OF
crews of incoming and outgoing yes
sells is expected to make possible the
traffic on a large scale intended TO
foster revolutionary activity. There
still are means of importing money
into the United States, but govern
ment agents can trace remittances
and keen an eye on suspicious
expenditures. Exports of money are
governed so strictly that ofi1cials are
certain that the chance of American
financing OF revolutions in other
countries is slight.
/. w. WI. Still Strong.
Although prosecution of l. w. w.
leaders recently has been vigorous,
officials have evidence which they
claim shows that the menace of this
organization, believed to be support
ed largely by German money, re-
mains strong.
Extreme care is being taken 70
avoid antagonizing the Bolshevikl
movement In Russia. despite the
international irritation it has caused.
American officials do not care to APP
near TO resist the development OF
democracy ideals, even IL 1T assumes
the form of extreme and chaotic
socialism reported in Russia under
the new regime. In line with this
policy, it is explained, preparations
for dealing with the encroachment
OF Rolshevikism on American soil, are
not for political reasons, but only TO
insure material safety and 70 pro-
mote moral unity of this nation In
the war.