The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1918-01-31
STATE COUNCIL OF DE-
FENSE AND u. S. DEPART
MENT OF JUSTICE HAS
WORKED OUT SATISFAC-
TORY PLAN.
TO BE PITILESS PUBLICITY
Not Only Will the Pro-German
BE Uncomfortable Now But
For Many Years After
the War

The county council OF defenSe,
of which Bert Linn, former SUI
perior Judge Of this county, is
chairman, has issued the follow
ing letter for publication.
Pro-Germans and others in the
state who have been opposed to
the United States participating
in the war will find it advisable
to keep their opinions to them
selves from now on.
The department Of home de-
fense of the State Council Of de-
fense has just issued to the
county councils a complete, de-
tailed "code" Of instructions and
suggestions for meeting disloy-
atty, Of whatever degree. This
booklet, naturally, will not be
made public, but it is the result
of weeks Of careful preparation
and the policies laid down have
received the approval of Govern
or Lister and U. S. District At
torney Clay Allen. The plan
covers many phases Of the gen.
eraT subject Of disloyalty, rang
ing from careless repetition Of
hysterical rumors up to actual
treason. Disloyal persons who
have felt themselves secure, so
long as they violated no state or
federal law, will be brought up
squarely to a point where they
will have to choose between ceas-
ing their present methods or suf-
fering what may be termed Eek
tra-judiciap punishment. BY
this is not meant mob violence or
any other form of punishment
which in itself would violate the
law. Every step of the proceed
ure outlined is in strict accord
with the existing laws Of the
state and nation.
Probably the most effective Of
the various methods recommend
ed is the simple process Of giving
a warning to the public at large
against the disloyal statements
and temper Of those are proven,
after careful investigation, to be
dangerous persons in our midst.
Any fair-minded citizen, no mat
ter how enthusiastic a supporter
of our government he may be,
can appreciate the mental atti-
tude Of a German who has been
naturalized here, but whose
brothers or other near relatives
may be fighting in the German
army. Also, other near relatives
may be fighting in the American
army. Also the comparatively
few conscientious objectors"
are entitled to have their relig-
ious views respected. But no
sincere citizen, whether he is
naturalized German or a con-
scientious objector, will attempt
to convince the average Ameri-
can that he has any good reason
to oppose the work Of the Red
Cross or the relief Of the civilian
in countries which
have been devastated by Ger
many or her allies. But there is
a principle involved which rests
on a still more vital, personal
obligation. Every person in this
state is here enjoying freedom
and opportunity which exist di-
rectly and only because the
of the nation had no
conscientious objections to fight
ing, and that freedom and oppor-
tunity will continue to exist di-
rectly and only because thous-
ands of our men and boys are
now in Europe or will go to Eu-
rope to fight for their continu-
ance.
Whatever academic or theo-
arguments might be put
forward as to the advisability Of
our being in this war, the time