The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-29
WATCHING ALL AG|TATORS.
1. w. W., BOLSHEVIKI AND IRISH
AGITATORS MAY BE SEEK
ING WORLDWIDE UP.
IIEAVAL.
Shilka Incident One of Many Cases
Which Have Aroused Agents Sus-
piciOn.

washington, Dec. 25.-Evidence
has been uncovered by government
agents indicating that American In
dustrial Workers of the World, Rus
sian Bolsheviki, Irish agitators, and
revolutionists in various countries at
war with Germany may be seeking to
lay the foundations of an elaborate
worldwide plan to overthrow existing
social orders.
This was admitted today by Off
cials here including news of a discov-
cry Of a quantity of rifles. revolvers
and ammunition on the Russian
freighter Shilka, which has just ar
rived at Pacific port manned by
mutinous Bolsheviki crew. Govern
ment agents suspect that the guns
and munitions were intended for the
Industrial Workers Of the World in
this country.
The Shilka incident is only one of
many cases which lead officials to be-
In several Of the allied countries may
be more tangible than the indefinite
link Of moral sympathy. Certain
lrih agitators and Industrial Workers
of the World leaders recently have
gone from the United States to Rus
sia, after being in close touch with
each other here. and reports have
been received that Bolsheviki organ
! izers would come to America before
| long to spread their doctrine of di-
rect action for communal organiza-
tion.
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 ex-
igencies as an excuse for suppressing
| free speech. except in SO far as it
leads to hampering the government in
The fight against the Central powers
This basis Of judgment, however, is
recognized as broad. and will permit
drastic action against foreign agents
whose conduct directly or indirectly
fosters Germany's war aims.
Acion 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
will serve to prevent importation OF
arms and the close supervision of the
crews of incoming and outgoing YES
sells Is expected to make impossible
traffic Of communications on large
scale intended to foster revolutionary
activity. There still are means OF
importing money into the United
States, but government agents CIR
trace remitances and keep a watch.
full eye on suspicious expenditures.
Although prosecutions Of Indus.
trial Workers Of the World have beer
vigorous officials have evidence
which they claim shows that the
menace of this organization, believ.
ed to be supported largely by Ger
man money, remains strong Fur
tber action against the agitators is
forecast. This will be FASTENED IL /,
Us found that the band is WORKING
with Russian Bolsheviki leaders tc
bring about premature peace in
Germany's behalf or hamper opera.
tiOns Of the war.
Extreme care il being taken by this
government to avoid antagonizing the
Bolsheviki movement in Russia de.
spite the international irritation i,
has caused American officials dc
not care to appear to resist the de,
velopment of democratic ideals even
II 1t assumes the form OF extreme
and chaotic socialism reported il,
Russia under the new regime.