The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-14
APPALLING FACTS"
Offlcial Attention Called TO the Rev
Or. wilson's Propaganda.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN---Sir: On
the same day that the Supreme Court
affirmed the Judgment OF the lower court
finding Eugene V. Debs guilty OF vio-
lating the espionage act by giving ut
tcrance to expressions calculated to re-
fleet on the patriotism of the army and
10 discourage enlistment fnd the fol-
lowing in the ciipsheet prepared and
Issued by the Rev. Clarence True Will
son, general secretary OF the board OF
temperance, prohibition and public NOR
ale of the Methodist Episcopal Church:
The board OF temperance has m
anti-tobaceo programme Meanwhile
It will publish millions Of educational
leaflets on the nicotine poison and the
doped cigarette, hoping TO prevent
boys from taking up the practice or
parents from allowing their children
TO fall victims TO the cigarette evil:
and it Will set forth tho appalling tGcts
on the matter from the lrlttlo front,
how that young men trained at grca;
expense by the Government to fight It's
battles had TO be led out OF tho light
ing ranks to have cigarettes stuff In
their mouths before they could stand
up and hold a gun. The attempt to
call this shaking shell shocked" 70
amusing to every one who knows
don't know that any newspaper has
reprinted this paragraph from the Rev.
Clarence True Wilson's clipsheet. bun
il was furnished for that purpcs,. and
II is about as mean a charge agains st
the American army in France az any
thing | have seen from Mr.. Debs. II
deserves some attention from THE SUN.
which has given 30 much space to the
Tobacco Fund for the soldiers and
has raised nearly half n million dol
lars to supply cigarettes and smoking
tobacco for the boys in the trenches.
The espionage act Ia still in force, and
it might also he well for the Depart
ment of Jusyice to keep track of Dr.,
Wilson's publication OF the "appalllng
facts"
This is not the first reflection on the
American EXpeditiouary Forces by DIR.
Wilson. About a year ago, when the
prohibition constitutional amendment
was under consideration and war time
prohibition was an issue DR. Wilson
used his clipsheet 20 send out charges
of drunkenness and vice in the army
in France. and caused much anxiety
to the parents of young men who were
over there fighting for the preservation
Of liberty. That campaign ended. DR..
Wilson appears to have turned his at
tontion to tobacco with the same kind
Of propaganda.
Much license 10 allowed to the clergy
in the use Of incorporate language.
especially when they arc preaching
temperance, but the espionage act was
designed to curb Just such license, and
it applies 10 all tra6ucers Of the army
and the Government. regardless OF their
politics or professions. THE SUN has
given much attention to this question,
and IS largely responsible for the cam
paign TO furnish cigarettes and tobacco
to the boys over there, and hope THE
SUN will not overlook this charge made
by the general secretary of the board
OF temperance, prohibition and public
morals OF the Methodist Episcopa!
Church
II shell shock was only cigarette
shaking the American people ought TO
know it, and II it wasn't. the Rev Clar-
ence True Wilson ought to be prope rly
cntalogued before he goes any further
In his revelations OF the appalling
facts" l. W Il
WASHINGTON. March 10.