New-York tribune., 1918-04-25

with publishers or editors of maga-
zines and newspaperso A.-Quite a
number.
" Q.-And other. persons, Mr.. Creel?
particular conversation? A.-No, sir.
Further questioning brought out that
Mr.. Rogers had told Mr. Creel during
the interview that "The Masses" was
ANXIOUS to comply with the law, and
not represent the sentiment of the
magazine.
Q.-And your recollection of it is
that general recollection? Avery
keen recollection.
GA keen recollection? A.-Yes,
sir.
Q.-Mr. Creel. will call your at
tent'on to an alleged interview with
you published in "The New York
Times on the 23d day of April
Mr.. Barnes-What year?
Mr.. Hillouit-l91S, Mr.. Barnes.
o. Continuing AS follows: "Mr
Creel said at the talk with the repre-
sentative of The Masses concerning
the character of the Masses which
might be published, he could not re-
call having discussed the advertise
ment He did not remember whether
the representative with whom he
| talked was Merrill Rogers" | will ask
you whether that represents a correct
statement by you on the subject? A
No, it is not. | did not even see the
reporter from "The New York Times"
Q.-This was a special spondent
of "The Times" at Washington? A.
1t must be highly special.
q. Did you at the time point out any
part of the contents of the June issue
as violating the law then existing in
your opinion? A. No, sir. I pointed
out the fact that the whole contents of
ton to the war.
Q. Yes, Mr. Creel. But, in your opin-
ion, Mr.. Creel, at that time was there
OF the magazine which was in violation
OF the law as it then existed? A.
made plain to Mr.. Rogers that the only
law that governed publications at that
time was the law relating to treason
And that was a matter for the Depart
ment of Justices Interpretation, the
elected or appointed officers Of the De-
partment of Justice. And as far as
was concerned there was no law that
gave me any authority to pas upon it;
and We did not discuss the exact lam
| guage that might be reasonable in the
sense the Department of Justice would
regard 1t as reasonable.
Q.-As far as you were concerned,
and from the point OF view Of your de-
partment, you saw nothing, or did you
| show him anything in the June issue
/ of The Masses" that was in violation
of the law, in your opinion, outside Of
| the question of the policy, which we
will take up separately? A.-Why, /
| thought the whole thing was objec-
/ tionable.
]
that. But / want to get settled state
ment as to whether or not you saw
anything in the issue which you
{ thought was in violation of any part
! OF this legal enactment at the time or
! whether you called Mr. Rogers's atten-
! tion to any such matter contained in
! the June issue? A.-No, sir.
Q.-Now, Mr.. Creel, it was one of
I the duties of your Office, as I under
! stand you, 10 bring to the people of
/ the United States proper realization
+ Of the aims and objects of the war ?
! A.-Yes, sir.
that direction; that was one of your
duties, was it? A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-And you also endeavored in con-
versation with Mr. Rogers to point out
the proper lines along which you
thought any publication could be con-
ducted during the continuance of the
Q.-And that was subject Of dis
cussion With him? A-Yes, sir.
Q.-You said to him that it was your
idea that the war should be accepted
as an existing fact by any magazine, or
\ article or any publication while the
Q.-That was your idea? A.-Yes
sir.
Q.-And Mr.. Rogers said that "The
Masses would accept the fact of the
war? Ale gave that as an ex-
pressed pledge.
Q.-Would hereafter restrict its ac
tivities, rather, to such economic prob
lens as might arise in connection with
the war? A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-From a liberal or radical poin
Of view? A.-Yes, sir.
preserving our democracy throughou
. the continuance of the war? A.-Yes
sir.
Q.-Was that the substance of hi
statement? A-Yes, sir.
By the court:
Q.-How did he say he would chang,
the policy, if he did say it? do no
say he did say it. How did he say. j
he did say it, that the policy would b
changed? A.-The policy would b.
chanped to one of acceptance of tn
war as a fact.
By Mr.. Hillquit:
Q.-Now, do you recall-you are no
/ familiar with all the ssues--but q
, you recall whether the exact expression
/ policy" was used, or some other word
were used to convey that general idea
, Al can't remember the words, Nh
/ Hillquit. But this interview is yer
clear in my mind because of the fac
: that knew so many of the men pub
, fishing "The Masses" the very higl
, regard | had for great many of then
} and nv very intent hope that the
would bring themselves into line wit
, what felt to be the opinion of Amer
lca in this war. And there Mr.. Rogers
= whether he used the word policy o
9 not, made it quite clear to me tha
t the future issues of "The Masses
Z. would not contain the matter such a
e that contained in Mrs. Grams adver
l tisement.
Q.-Now, Mr.. Creel. at any time il
the course Of such conversation, di
you express an opinion, or an expires
sion of admiration for consideration
objectors to the draft here, or a gen
:, eral demand for making a proper pro
vision for recognition of conscientiou
objectors in the act before Congress
, Al did not. I am very violent ad
:. <>F To-,