The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-20
BUR[ES0N SLAMS
ROOSEVELT HARD
OVER TRADES
Practically Accuses the
Colonel Of Giving Ger
mans Comfort.
CHARGES EVASION
Main Facts Are Ignored
in Preliminary State
ment Assailing
Government.
CHARGES EVASION

fhFf~'stIi aisA tt"'t'N'''
accused fdni OF approving
magazine article which Is now
being used by German propa
gandist, In various parts of the
world
Following Colonel Rooseyeits
charge that MIR. Rurieson was US
ing the espionage act for poliu-
cal purposes by Furnishing certain
papers. the postr1aster-gc general
declares that an article in the
Metropolitan magazine entitled.
lis America Hone~t?" is being
translated into German. Spanish.
Portuguese and tho Scandinavian
languages and l. being spread
broadcast throughout Nexico.
south 4mericy and other conn
tries. Mr. Rurleson says hc has
10 learn nj q single patriotic
render unless II nc MFR. Rno%e-
Welt" who approved the pubtica-
ton of tho article.
The po-,ma Stcr- general gives
little heed to Colonel Roo~eveit's
cries against the Hearst news
rapers. He says NJ matter pub
lished either by Er. Hearst or hy
Colonel Roosevelt. has come to
my attention which. In my optu-
80 ion. warranted action by the post
Office department under the es-
pionaee act against either of
them"
Complaints Against Colonel
He says that the postoffice depart
nent hat received more com plants
that Colonel Rooaevelts articles were
IN violation OF the espionage act thar
1t has against the Hearst ewspa pers-
The poStm aster- general declares the
charges that he was prosecuting Col
llers. the Metropolitan magazine. or
the Tribune. were not true as the de
partment has taken no action against
any 81 them.
MIR Rooseve1t's rerly ~ May IL"
says MIR. Burleson, which ne then
termed preliminary in the main
evades the issues presented and is
thoroughly misleading He names Tire
New YORK Tribune. Golfers and the
Metropolitan magazine, in a way
which has created the impression that
these publications have been the OH
jects Of improper discrimination by the
postofice department
This depar' ment has taken no ac-
ticn aga nsj Golfers.
This department has taken no &C
ton against the Tribune.
I'm exposing German propaganda
early In the war the department
brought 20 rublic attention typicai
culated throughout the country. II
made available to newspaper. men
its files disclosing such disloyal mat
ter The Tribune promptly awaited
itself OF this opportunity ana gave
helpful assistance. for which patriotic
service. ! personally thanked one OF
it's staff correspondents.
About the Metropolitan.
The department has taken no &C
zine
with respect TO this magazine. the
incident referred to by Mir Roosevelt
occurred after the magazine had pass.
ed through the mails and not a copy
offered for mailing failed of transmits
sion.
The Injury therefore. must have
follow ed as the result OF public dis
approval OF The matter contained In
patriotic reader. unless II be MIR
Roosevelt who approved the publica
tion In that issue of the article, rs
America. Honest. by William Hard
This department received a large
number of letters from widely sepa
rated sections OF the country chsrac,
terlzing the publication Of the Hard
article as bad from every viewpoint
Some claimed II was unpatriotic, 9TH
and still others that il was treason.
able
III Mr.. Roosevelt means that
should repair the injury 90 to this
magazine by Joining him In commend
ing the Hard article as desirable liter
ature for forwarding the war aims OF
the government. / cannot accommodate
him,
Germany Likes II.
II am reliably Informed that Ger.
many highly appreciates the Hard ar.
tiele-so highly, in fact. that he,
propagandists have translated IL int
German. Spanish. Portuguese and the
Scandinavian languages and are nov
+ flooding Mexico South -America-nnc
other countries with copies OF II. Mr.
Roosevelt could hardly add to the in
furious effects of this article shoule
he now have It reproduced in the Con.
gressional Record In fun with its dis
gushing illustrations. accompanied b,
his express approval thus giving II
free and unlimited distribution.
80 much for Mr.. Rooseveit's frs,
charge. Now what of his second?
The press of every complexion
! should always have the widest latitude
for criticism for the acts of all public
officials This principle is constantly
kept in mind in the administration Of
the espionage act and disposing OF
complaints made hereunder,
The postoffice department has re,
ceived possibly more complaints from
the public alleging that Mr.. Roose
velts articles were in violation of the
espionage act than 1t has against the
Hearst newspapers, No matter pub.
lshed by either Mr. Roosevelt or Mr.
Hearst has come to my attention
which, in my opinipn. warranted actor
by the postoffice department. under
the espionage act against either OF
them.
MIR Hearst, though his vast news.