Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-09
GREGORY Warns
Of WAR-END PLOTS
Public Must Not Relax Watch
Over Foes of the
Nation.
SLACKERS TO BE HUNTED
By DAVID LAWRENCE,

By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright. 1918, by N. Y. Evening Post, Inc. J
This war isn't over so far as it con-
Germs the michief that anarchists and
plotters and aliens who do not wish
the United States well can do. Fol-
those inadvertently inclined even the
signing of an armistice will not mean
q return to the free and easy condi-
lions that prevailed before tho war
began Attorney General Gregory to-
day uttered a timely warning against
any relaxation on the part of the pub
lie in keeping watch on those who
have been suspected In the past OF
plotting harm to the cause OF the
United States and the allies
Attorney Generals Statement.
Il have no special fear in mind"
said the Attorney General. "for our
internal situation has been kept re-
operation of the public throughout
this war. but 1t would be q great mis-
take If those people inside our. coun-
Try who we know do not wish US well
were to understand that they. were
1t liberty to do as they pleased.
They must be kept unuer constant
observation.
1T must be remembered that the
statutes under which we have been
operating during this war do not ex-
pire with the signing of an armistice
or the cessation of hostilities. They
are effective during the period that
pYecedes the actual ending of the war
by treaty. And it Is during such Pc
fiod especially when the temptation
~ to relax that we must be careful
Must Keep on Guard.
There is an immense amount OF
government property to guard and
valuable war material which should
not be wasted or permitted to fall
Into the wrong hands. do not like to
make predictions as to the signing OF
elapse before peace negotiations can
be concluded or just when it will be
possible for US to bring back our
troops from Europe. Certainly we
must see to it that there is no inter-
xuption In the dispatch of supplies to
our armies and that no forces inimical
to US shall be able to do US harm in
any of the insidious ways of which we
have had examples in the past"
Tho Attorney General called atten-
act which forbids any one the right
to pose as representative. official or
unofficial, Of the United States govern
ment in dealing with any foreign gov
eminent or representatives thereof.
Foresees "Grinders Of Axes"
It Is conceivable that many people
anxious to grind their own axes or to
promote their own notions Of peace
terms will seek as they have in the
past to represent the views of the
United States government in their con-
versations with foreign officials. Our
government has been troubled with
self-appointed emissaries from time to
time who have approached some of the
allied governments, and only by a
careful control OF passports was this
practice stopped.
Some day in the not far distant fu-
ture there must be a necessary relaxa-
tion OF the stringent rules that have
governed the issuance of passports
Just when that will be no one can say.
But 1t Is probable that until peace has
actually been declared. even the is
suance OF passports will be restricted
SO the persons who may have in mind
informal participation In the peace
parleys should take warning that on
their return to this country they will
be subject to prosecution if they have
violated the Logan act, which, by the
way, Is continuing statute effective
in time Of peace as well as war.
What Logan Act Forbids.
Tho Logan act doesn't, of course, in
terfere with the right Of any American
to go abroad and express his own opin-
Ions Or those OF any organization which
he or she may represent, nor does it
anect private persons who are intrust-
ed with missions to which the govern
ment has given its approval in formal
way, but it does AFFECT anybody who
United States government without the
null consent OF our government.
So far as alien activity is concerned,
inside the United States, the attorney
general Is much concerned lest the many
private organizations like the American
cessation Of military operations permits
them to relax their vigilance The
league has been especially helpful in
cunning down slackers.
Relentless Search for Slackers.
Even though an armistice be signed,
and even though there may be, some
the government will not cease its
search for those who have violated
the laws Of the United States by evad-
ing military service. A. Bruce Bic
laski. chief Of the bureau Of investi-
cation in the Department of Justice,
has sent to the national directors of
the American Protective League a
letter in which he urges their con-
tinued cooperation irrespective Of the
progress of peace negotiations He
Says:
The tremendous machines which
have been organized by the govern
ment for the prosecution of this war
cannot be stopped abruptly and must
continue to operate for many months
under any circumstances
The necessity and importance of
protecting from espionage the Army
and property Of the United States
will continue for some time to come.
and the need for the vigorous en-
forcement of sections IL and IL of
the selective service act (relatinx to
elackers) and for watchfulness for
enemy propaganda and financial ac-
tivity will probably increase
ITO achieve the greatest SUCCESS II
Is essential that every war activity be
kept 1T its highest pitch at this time
until the full fruits Of the efforts o1
our armies and those Of our allies are
not only in sight but actually real
tied"