The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-09-14
INDICTMENTS IN
WAKE L.W.W. RAIDS
EVIDENCE OF GIGANTIC CoNSPIR-
AcY AGAINST NATION is UN-
EARTHED BY OFFICERS
THINK TEUT MONEY HELPED
Anti-Draft Demonstrations, Gripping
of War Industries by So-CaIled
Labor Disturbances Is
Scope of Conspiracy

Washington, Sept. S.-Numerous in
dictments for conspiracy to thwart the
governments war plans and tie it's
hands in many ways appear to be the
prospect as a result of Wednesdays
nationwide raid of Industrial Workers
of the World offices by department of
| justice agents.
Evidence is said to be fast accuihu-
lating to support the belief that a gil
gantic conspiracy has existed for some
time past to pripple the government
in carrying on the war, that its rami
fications have extended into virtually
every state and that numerous anti
war activities had their fountain head
in single group of cOnspirators.
Anti-draft demonstrations, crippling
of war industries by so-called labor
disturbances and by violence, burning
of crops and continuous preachment of
anti-ally sentiment with other activi-
ties tending to embarrasS the govern
ment and retard the exercise of it's
full strength in prosecuting the war
appear, from recent disclosures, to
have been included within the scope
of the alleged conspiracy.
Into the formation and the workings
of this alleged conspiracy, the depart
ment of justice has begun an inquiry
more comprehensive, it is said, than
any launched since this country's en-
try into the war.
How closely the anti-war activities
and propaganda have been inter-relat-
federal grand jury now sitting at Chi
cago, investigating documents seized
by government agents in their raids
Wednesday of /. w. w. and Socialist
offices of that city and throughout the
country. Indications are that the al
legged conspiracy had it's origin in Chi
cago and for some time was actively
directed from that city. There are
also indications that German money
in part, this propaganda,
that German funds were spent freely
in many ways to further the conspira-
cieS and that of the many persons be-
ieved to be actively identified in car
rying on the work, few knew of this
source of financial support.
The grand jury inquiry will not be
confined, from present indications, to
Chicago. United States attorneys, who
nave not accumulated documentary
which apparently supports
he theory of a great conspiracy are
said to be few in number 1t is prob
lble that much of this evidence will bet
presented to other grand juries, once !
he extensive plans and workings of
he chief alleged conspirators are de-
ermined in Chicago.
So vast is the accumulation of let
ers, checks and papers of all descrip-
ions seived by the government agents
hat the great bulk still lies unsifted
nd the exact determination of their
ontents and significance probably will
ot be reached for several days.
William c. Fits, the assistant at
orney general, who conceived and di-
ected the execution of the idea of q
ationwide seizure of |. w. w. papers
t a prearranged time, devoted virtu-
lily his entire time yesterday to con-
Iteration of reports from all sections
f the country as to the results OBJ
lined.
1.-THE results are very satisfying"
as all that Mr.. Fits would say.