The sun., 1917-09-08
Destruction of Forests and
of Crops Said to Be in
Scheme.
MANY ARRESTS AHEAD
Chicago Believed to HarbOr
Leaders of Great Con-
spiracy.
INVOLVE OTHER NATIONS
England, Italy and Australia
Marked for Attack. It Is
Intimated.
INVOLVE OTHER NATIONS

CHICAGO. Sept. 7.--Evidence ind Gates
that the Government did not act too
soon in raiding headquarters Of the I.
w. VS. all over the country. The whole.
sale seizure OF documents, letters, tele-
grams and other confidential papers dis
closes that there was under way plan
to call strikes in all munitions plants,
and. falling 10 cripple the Government
in this way. where the workers refused
to strike BOMBS were to complete the
work.
This pro-German work was not to he
confined to the United States, but was
to be extended to Italy, Australia ana
england. 1t appears that the Industrial
workers are not strong enough or sur
hciently organized in France or Japan
10 attempt any destructive work in those
countries 1t also is evident that Can
ada has cleansed herself fairly well of
tho scourge. for SO far there is nothing
IN the mass Of papers to show that any
plans had been laid in the dominion.
At tho beginning OF the war the ]. w.
w. were able to exercise their peculiar
talents in Canada, but something has
happened to those members who were
not over the international line quickly
enough. and those who managed to es-
cape into the United States have no
stomach for any Jobs In the dominion.
Proof of Plots.
Government officials are Withholding
the extremely valuable information com
ing into their hands, but 1t is known
that they have proof that the activities
OF the /. ". W. included the starting of
great forest fires. the spiking OF timbers
selected Tor American ships, the destruc-
ton OF the ripening crops by fire, coal
mine, copper mine and other strikes and
disorder generally in all cities il - be-
lieved that tho recent numerous street
car strikes will be traced TO the l. w.
w. and that it will be found that Ger
man funds were provided in all these
cases
Another step in the Federal campaign
against sedition may be taken by the
arrest OF prominent l. W. w. leader.
just before noon officials OF the local
bureau OF investigation and United
states District Attorney Clyne's first as
sistant, Joseph r. Fleming, hurried from
the Federal Building in an automobile.
Their departure followed a long distance
phone conversation between one of the
officials and the Department Of Justice
in Washington.
As these officials are the only one.
who are examining the evidence seized
in tho eight raids on Wednesday II was
believed that they had just CLEANED in
formation from the conhscated docu-
ments that necessitated "A sudden arrest
I. w. W. Men Bitter.
1t was considered likely that the Of
hcers expected master stroke in the
alleged !, W. w conspiracy and decided
to fol! II by speedy action. The !. W. w,
against the Government as a result OF
tho raid on their headquarters at 1901
West Madison street, and the prediction
has been made at the Federal Building
that the organization may try TO loose
its fangs in revenge.
That more raids are in prospect was
frankly admitted by District Attorney
Clyne. who said warrants would he is-
sued, The impression prevails, however
that none Of the raids would be made
before tomorrow.
Federal officials are gradually prepar-
Ing the public for highly sensational
revelations, it is believed Norris Klein,
deputy marshal in charge Of W. w
headquarters. is quoted as saving OF the
raid there that what We've found
would surprise tho world
While no one except the Federal au-
thorites and the consprators them
selves know what these revelations will
be, It is safe TO predict that they will
solve recent mysterious forest fires and
war plant explosions and explain many
labor disturbances