Evening star., 1919-05-01
Revolutionary Bombs.

Revolutionary radiealism has mani
Tested itself in this country in the
sinister form of secret assassination.
Deadly bombs have been sent through
the mails to prominent men, some of
them occupying high federal positions,
others identified with state govern
ments, some publicists, all of them for
one reason or another known to have
incurred the hostility of the anarchists,
the radical socialists, the Industrial
Workers of the World and the Ameri-
can representatives of the bolshevik
movement. Some Of these bombs have
been actually delivered, though with
no harm to any of those marked for
death. Others have been intercepted
in the mails. That more of the death
devices are in course of distribution
through the mails is feared. There is
little doubt that the scattering of the
bombs is the work Of an organized
group. seeking to spread terrorism
through the country.
It has been said that civilization is
protected by its very enemies. The
fanatic mind, however keen in inven-
tion Of means Of destruction, almost
invariably fails in the execution of
plots Of this character. Blunders are
committed that prevent success. In
this case the mailing of the bombs was
badly timed, so that warning was
given, frst by the receipt Of that ad-
dressed to Mayor Hanson Of Seattle,
and again by that which mutilated a
woman at the home Of former Senator
Hardwick. Furthermore, the lack Of
sufficient postage, due to the sealing
of the packages, and the use of mailing
tags forged to initiate the token Of a
widely known New York establishment,
gave the postal officials chance to
intercept a large part Of the e1plo-
sive machines. Had the distributing
methods been as clever as the bombs
themselves in their construction many
deaths would probably by now have
resulted.
It is needless to urge that the source
of this diabolism be detected. The
government agencies are already at
work to run down every possible clew
to the makers and senders of these
bombs and to identify those who are
plotting assassination. And there are
many clews. There are numerous In
dications of the centers Of agitation
Right here in the capital last night a
meeting WIS held, at which revolution
was preached and cheered. There
should be no hesitation in applying
the espionage and sedition acts to
cause the immediate arrest of those
who are thus fomenting radical reac-
tion and the overturn of the govern
ment, as was urged at that meeting.
This menace cannot be fought by in
direction. It must be grappled square
1y. The privilege Of free speech is
constantly being abused. The laws are
being daily violated in the name Of
discussion Of public questions. Shrewd
speakers are infaming the minds Of
discontented persons, fanatics who
have distorted view of issues and an
absolutely wrong concept Of the func-
tions Of the state. Those who are
preaching are not the same as those
who are secretly making and mailing
the bombs. But they are encouraging
them, possibly actually directing them.
The assassins are trying to do the work
that these bold advocates of revolu-
tion arc advocating.
The war is not over. The laws that
were enacted for the protection Of the
government as war measures are still
in force. Seditious talk is punishable.
A vigorous policy Of suppression and
. course Of speedy trials and punish
ments are demanded in the interest of
public security.