The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-06
ENEMY DAMAGED BY
|. u. S. SPY ACTIVITIES
Attorney Generals Report
Hints at Extraordinary
Achievements.
COUNTRY rs LAW ABIDING
Insistence That Civil, Author
ity,Is Sufficient shown to
Be Justified.
Special DespateA 10 THE suS

WAgHfSGTON, Dec. b.--TbrOugh the
coordination of the various secret SER
vice agencies Of the United States in
Guiding the volunteer activities OF the
American Protective League. direct
damage was done to the enemy forces
abroad. according to a statement made
by Attorney General Gregory in his
annual report made public to-day.
The nature OF this damage is not yet
proper matter for publication, It is in
timated by the Attorney General, who
says:
when 1t becomes possible, through
the lapse of time, to disclose fully the
activities of these various secret SER
vices their work will stand out as one
OF the substantial achievements in the
war-extraordinaryf for the intelligence
and acumen displayed as we'll as for
the results accomplished. The present
orderly state of this country is due in
no small degree 10 their relentless
vigilance. They have given protection
not only to the civilian population but
to the armed forces. and some OF their
activities here have also resulted in
direct damage TO the enemy forces
abroad"
Explains Esp:o 81. Act.
Attorney General Gregory reviews
the war activities OF the Department
OF Justice relating to internment Of
alien enemies. cases under the es-
pionage act. and other war prosecu-
tons He says the espionage law was
recommended because the fact that
thaFn hann
ton for treason in more than a CEN
fury was convincing proof that the
treason statute would not suffice.
Emphasis Is laid by the Attorney
General on his conviction that the
citizens OF the country are by nature
law abiding, and that this factor ac-
counts for the lack OF disturbance dur
ing the war. Results, he declares,
show the wisdom OF his frequent in
sistence 20 other departments that the
civil laws OF the country were SUM-
Gent and that military courts were
not necessary. He defends the policy
, OF the department with respect to in
termed alien enemies by pointing out
that many were not dangerous. and
that less than per cent. OF those
paroled gave subsequent trouble.
The Attorney General urges a
change In the customs laws so that a
party dissatisfied with an appraise-
ment may have reconsideration before
a single general appraiser
Extension Of the statute OF limlta-
tons in BANKRUPTCY cases Is recon-
, mended- on the ground that the pres
ent period OF one year has defeated
. justice in some instances. Embezzle-
ments by trustees in bankruptcy have
not been disclosed until periodical OK
animation made after the year limit
had expired. 1t Is suggested that it
be made crime for bankrupt to
conceal assets from a Government Of
fiCer.
Amendment OF the law with respect
to suits against corporation is recon-
mended, so that a corporation may be
sued in any district in which It does
business.
Mr., Gregory again calls attention to
the fact that while under the penal
code it is a crime to assault. beat or
wound an officer of the United States
engaged in serving or executing proc
ess, there is no Federal law making 1t
crime to kill an officer under these
circumstances.