New-York tribune., 1919-02-05
Radical Speeches in w ash
ington Theatre Inspire
The Demand for Action
BoIsIleyiki and
I. ". ". Included
Overnan Committee Il
Ordered TO Hold Hear
ings. Beginning Friday
.No,s lori, r ihuns
WASHINGTON Et,rccu

N0's York Tribune
Washington Es;rccu
WASHINGTON. Feb. Am investi-
CATION Of Bolshevisn and other revo
iutionarv movements in this country
hy the 0vorrean committee, which has
heen inouiring into German propa
esnda. was unanimously ordered by the
Senate to-day. Preparation for hear
inrs was initiated by the committee
later in the day and meetings probably
will begin Friday
The resolution ordering the inquiry
was adopted in the Senate after the
Bolsheyiki and the danger which their
propaganda is bringing to America
we're denounced in vigorous terms. The
discussion is tic result of q meeting
held Sunady night, when Albert
Rhys Williams. recently returned
from Russia aud now a Bolshevik agi-
istor here, addressed q large crowd,
taus tr.nsing homo to the Senators &
realization Of what Bolshevism means.
Tomorrow Senator Overman will read
% the Senate the constitution of the
Russian Soviet government and some
declarations Of principle by the l..
". "
The investigation will be sweeping,
senator Overman announced after the
executive session Of the committee.
iiaior Humes and Captain Lester, who
rave been assisting the committee, will
he retained on this new work, and the
records OF the various departments of
me government which have mad to do
s.th the revolutionary movements will
be called for.
Agitators Limited to 500
The military Intelligence division Of
the General Staff, it is known, has for
months been watching the movement
closely, and has had its men present at
virtually every meeting. 1t has gath
cred an immense amount of revolution
airy publications of various kinds, and
has classified this material and listed
ine agltators 1t is understood the mil
ltary intelligence does not class more
tnan 500 persons in the country as ac-
tive reyoiutionaries, but it is also
known the division believes the plague
IS spreading rapidly, and that it is an
exceedingly great menace.
The order for the new inquiry came
Just after the committee virtually had
wound up its German propaganda in
qulry- At meeting this morning, at
which the order Of Secretary Baker
forbidding members Of the military in
telhgence bureau to give information
TO congressman was put into the rec
ord, he was vigorously criticised bv
members of both parties.
1t Is rot believed, however the Sec
retary viii object TO production of the
records on the revolutionists.
mere was some discussion Of the
wisdom Of conducting this inquiry in
executive session, on the theory that
public hearings would give the aeita-
1ors an opportunity for propaga nda,
bot the committee decided that full
pubiicity was the best possible cure
Tor the trouble.
Hearst Editorials Filed
" zen the committee met this morn
lag Senator Overman ann rounced that
bradford Merrill, general manager of
me Hearst publications, would not ap-
lear and had sent instead a couple Of
compilations OF editorials and cartoons
IRON the Hearst papers which were in
'urporr OF the war and the govern
ment. The committee decided not 10
make these : part Of the record, but
TO receive and lie them.
The dispute with Secretary Baker
'nen came to tho front, Senator Nell
son introducing it with the remark that
soeTe not mucn use in trying to 20
on with THESE hearings since Secretary
faker issued that order"
senator WoIcott declared the Secrc-
Isry'g order seemed to be "muzzling
oroer," and asked Major Humes whether
mss did not close up one Of the com
mittee's important sources Of informa
lion. w
by understanding Of the order. the
MAJOR replied, "is that it forbids the
military intelligence to advise with us
aha give us information, even as to
re information that may be available
in its field It makes it impossible for
Us 70 determine whether information
~e seek is In tho military intelligence's
possession.0
So sald Senator Wolcott, "it not
only protects information which il
tnignt not be compatible with the pub
ne interest TO have published, but il
seeps from the public, as represe ntAd
" this committee, other information
Nnien IT might be desirable for the peo
PIG o. the country 10 have"
Meeting Cheers Bolsheyism
Inc meeting which started Washing
soH 70 talking about Bolshevism was
asta in Polls Theatre, and attended by
z,oog psrsons. Besides Willizng, A. Lou.
.ss Erysnt, who also had been in Rus-
s's, spoke, and there were much cheer.
ng Tor Bolshevism and vigorous A..
seks on the American system Of gov
ssfnaent. Among those present we're
Isgrsssntatiyss Is9s' sse..s pillen Of South Da-
.salncla, the latter making short
speech in which he demanded tho reS
sfp q American tfoopg from Russia.
<aa charged that money appropriated
spe reiief Of Russians wag 6eing held
ps b tnis country 70 pay the lnterssA On
ssssaan bonds. -Four woman VIM haye
esea aetiye in tho Woman's party NJ.
se,ss nefe wsrs also present,
seotEnasion ran high in the ssnate
s,s nsh tne meeting was digeuFsed. zen.
pryf ErfTSfxf4< NJ -