Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-12-11
HEARST LETTERS.
FAIL TO CREATE ANY.
GREAT SENSATION
LETTERS AND TElEGRAMS READ
TO SENATE DECLARE "uNCLE
SAM is BEING GOLD BRiCkED."

copies OF kilograms sent by William
Randolph Heart to editors and repre-
sentatiyes of his papers and insC rted
yesterday afternoon into the record
Of the Senate subcommittee investi
eating German propaganda charges
failed to cause the sensation that ha0
been predicted from many quarters,
One told that the New York pub
Usher had opposed the enactment OF
the espionage bill, basing his oppo'
sition on the statement OF Senator
Cummins that 1t was the most "dras
tic measure ever proposed 10 curb q
free people in war times while II
the others he expressed a belief thai
the majority OF people did not wan,
war.
The first was dated Feb, q, 1917
before war was declared by tht
United States on Germany, and va
addressed to Phillips Francis.
There should be vigorous attack
on the espionage bill,'' the letter ran
Mote that Senator CumminS says III,
measure is the most stringent ant
drastic ever proposed to curb PEG
pie in the time of peace or war. The
government should have absolute
power In war times TO suppress ant
prevent debate in Congress. Ii nigh
even be held criminal ofense t0l
two citizens to discuss with eacs
other questions of military policy
Under such a law the agitation woult
never have taken place in EnglanC
which led TO the assumption to tn,
premiership by Lloyd George.
THE Democratic party seems {,
forget that this Is a republic il
which the people govern and in whicl
full information is essential to int
ligent government"
Three days later Mr. Hearst IL
structed the New York American T.
forward the following to William Bay
ard Hale in Berlin:
Il firmly believe the vast majorit.
OF the people in the United States ar
industrious of war with Germany
Also believe the people of German.
are industrious of war with the Unite
States.
THE course of my papers has bee
fair to Germany not because am Pre-
German any more than pro-ally.
am simply patriotically interested Il
the welfare of my country and altru
istically interested in the progress
of the world"
On Feb. %, 1917, he wired F. W
Kellogg, whom BielasM referred to a
Washington representative OF tn
New York American, that when h
inscribed the watchword, AN Amer
can paper for American people owe
the names OF his papers he mean
just what that motto said.
II will not allow my papers to b
edited in the smallest degree by an
foreign power | would shut dow
every publication have first and
don't intend to shut down. he added
A message from the editor OF tn
New York American to Mr.. Hears
dated Feb. % read as follows
Earnestly urge immediate actio
to check or stop Hales dispatches
The dispatches are so worded as t
permit the Interpretation that Berl
is debating our policy. With pr,
found respect | urge we check Hal
and all agencies that tend to thro'
dismredit upon our declared attitud
of sturdy Americanism.
In another telegram under date {
Feb. %, 1917, addressed to Philli
Francis, New York American, Hears
said America was not only "ben
starved for the benefit of warning Fl
rope but was being plundered of 1t
wealth as WE'LL
I'VE are sending abroad geniun
wealth" the wire stated, THE wealL
OF our mines and our mills, the wealt
of our farms and our factories, tn
natural resources which God ha
given us for our development W
are receiving in return counter!
media of exchange, which may b,
come comparatively worthless an
promises to pay which may never b
redeemed. OF what use are the l. {
us of a bankrupt?
Uncle Sam is being gold bricked
He is being sold satchel full {
green goods in return for his genuin
and hard earned properties.
I'VE are reveling in mock prospe
ity. We will all wake up some fin
morning and nd the sheriff at OF
door
why are we wasting our wealth
Of 1t were for some noble cause "
could afford to go poor for a gener
tion and find comfort and consolidate
in worthy deed But move al
wasting a wealth to continue ca
miyal OF murder, to prolong an or
of overwhelming disaster to encou
age the destruction Of the white rae,
to tear down the achievements {
civilization which have taken age
20 construct, to repudiate religio
and violate all established standard
of decency, morality and righteou
ness, to prostitute the progress of tn
...arld To tho nannnneI nnl In of M