Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-23
PRESIDENT OPPOSES
COURT-MARTIAL SPY BILL
Tells Senator 0verman He Be-
lieveS Chamberlain Meas
ure Unconstitutional

WASHINGTON, April 22.-President
Wilson came out today in opposition to
the Chamberlain bill, which would try
violations of the sedition laws by courts
martial and in letter to Senator Over
man, of North Carolina, declared his be-
lief that the measure is unconstitutional.
If enacted, the president declared, the
bill would place the United States on a
level with it's enemies. The measure. he
said is opposed to the spirit and pur-
pose of the espionage laws.
Enactment of the Chamberlain bill
has been urged before the senate mill =
tary committee as necessary to stamp
out German propagandan. Vigorous OPP
position to its passage has been develop
ing and Senator Borah has sought sup
port of senate leaders in his efforts to
defeat it,
The bill has not had the support Of
the department of justice and Charles
Warren, assistant attorney general, re-
signed last week, after, it was said, his
advocacy Of the measure failed to re-
ceive the support of the attorney gen
eral.
In his letter to Senator Overman the
president also indicated that he would
not compromise with opponents advo-
eating amendment of the Overman bill,
which proposes a broad general power
to reorganize government departments
Attorney General Gregory also is
preparing to make bitter fight against
the Chamberlain bill, holding it vir-
tually places the nation under mill
tary law.
Deeply resenting the charges that
the department Of justice is failing to
meet the situation, Gregory has chosen
a new assistant-succeeding Charles
Warren, lust resigned-and is speed
ing work against aliens, plotters, spies
and others injuring the cause of this
country in the war.
Warren aroused the anger of the at
torney general when he wrote letter
to Senator Overman approving a mill
tary court The attorney generals de-
partment takes the position that the
Chamberlain bill would create mill
taristic situation in America worse
than anything in Germany. The new
assistant will be announced this week.
The presidents letter follows:
My Dear Senator: Thank you for
your letter of yesterday. l am heartily
obliged to you for consulting me about
the court-martial bill, as perhaps l may
call il for short. l am wholly and UNI
alterably opposed TO such legislation and
very much value the opportunity yoa
give me to say so. 1 think it is not
only unconstitutional but that in char
acter, it would put us nearly upon the
level of the very people we are fight
ing and affecting 10 despise. 1t would
be altogether inconsistent with the
spirit and practice of America, and in
q view of the recent legislation, the
espionage bill, the sabotage bill and
the woman spy bill. ] think it is I'M
necessary and uncalled for.
Il take the liberty, my dear senator,
Of expressing myself in this emphatic
way because my feeling is very deep
about the matter, as I gather your
own is.
1T is admirable the way you have
been handling these important bills
and l thank you with all my heart for
standing by the bill which bears your
name without any compromise of any
kind.
at gives me the greatest satisfaction
to tell you how much I have appreciated
what you have been doing.
Cordially and sincerely yours
WOODROW WILSON"