The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-12-26
Discovery of Arms on the
Freighter Shilka Is Clinch-
ing Link in the Chain
IRISH AGITATORS
AMONG PLOTTERS
I. w. w. and Bolshevikd Also Had
Part in the Scheme to Overturn AL
Governments-Washington Plans on
Taking Swift Action.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-EVldence
has been uncovered by government agents
that American Industrial
Workers of the World, Russian Boil
sheviki, Irish agitators and revolution
lists in various countries at war with
Germany may be seeking to lay the
foundation of an elaborate world wide
Plan to overthrow existing social order.
This was admitted by officials here in
connection with news Of discovery Of
q quantity OF rifles, reyolvers and ammu-
milton in the Russian freighter Shilka,
which has just arrived at Pacific port.
manned by mutinous Bolsheviki crew
Government agents suspect that the guns
and ammunitions were intended for the
Industrial Workers Of the World in this
country, although it was said a full re
port on the mysterious cargo has not yet
been forwarded by officials at the port of
arrival
The Shilka incident is only one of
MANY cases leading officials to believe
the connection between plotters in sew
eral OF the allied countries may be more
tangible than the indefinite link of moral
sympathy. Certain Irish agitators and
l. w w leaders recently have gone from
the United States to Russia after being
III close touch with each other here and
reports have been received that Boil
sheviki organizers would come TO America
before long to spread their doctrines OF
direct action for communal organiza
ton.
No objection will be raised by the gov
eminent to any agitation which does not
interfere with the progress OF the war,
officials declare Officials do not intend
to use the war exigencies "a an excuse
for suppressing free speech, except inso-
far a. it leads to hampering the govern
ment in the fight against the central
powers This basis of judgment, how
ever, is recognized a broad and will per
nit drastic action against foreign agents
whose conduct directly or indirectly foo-
tiers Germany's war aims.
Action will be particularly swift, Off
Gals say, when armed resistance to the
law il threatened and when other mate
rial forces are employed by the agitators.
Customs inspection will serve to prevent
importation Of arms and the close super
vision of crews OF incoming and outgoing
vessels is expected TO make impossible the
traffic of communications on large
scale intended to foster revolutionary az
tivity. There still are means OF import
| ing money into the United States, but
government agents can trace remittance
/! and keep watchful eve on such expen-
1 ditures. Exports OF money are governed
+ so strictly by the government that Off
/ Gals are certain that the chance of Amer
lean financing OF revolutions in other
countries is slight.
Although prosecution of |. ". W. lead
FRS recently has been vigorous, officials
have evidence which they claim shows
that the menace of this organization, be
lieved to be supported largely by Ger
man money, remains strong. Further &C
tion against the agitators is forecast
This will be FASTENED if il is found thai
sheviki leaders TO bring about a prema
ture peace in Gcrmany's interests or t,
hamper America at home.
Extreme care Is being taken by thi
government to avoid antagonizing tn
Bolsheviki movement in Russia despit
the international irritations il Ia
caused
American officials do not care to appea
to resist the development Of democratic
ideals even If it Assumes the form Of G.;
treme and chaotic socialism reported il
Russia under the new regime. In lin
with this policy, il IL explained prepare
tions for dealing with the encroachmen
OF Bolshevikism on America is not for pc
litical reasons but only to insure mate
rial safety andIto promote moral unit
Lot int ha