Evening star., 1920-01-18
By NEWBOLD MOVES.

100
~HE burst of speed with which Fatus-or
whoever else is responsible for causing
the events which make the news from
Il day to day-started out the new year
could not be maintained. It is just
WELL For last Sunday Jim and Jane. perusing
the story of the seven days which had just
passed. might well have been staggered in con-
templating the task of assimilating it all in
hour by the fire. All things even up And while
there has been plenty to fill the columns Of the
daily press during the week looking
back over today, only limited amount of it
has been Of that major caliber which demands
the thoughtful consideration Of the thinking
American man and woman
The campaign Of the Department of Justice
against the reds continued sporadically during
the week. several small contingents being round
ed up principally in New York. The House
sedition BILL referred to in this column two
weeks ago. which is far more stringent docu-
ment than the measure passed by the Sen
ate is due for early consideration in the lower
chamber of the Capitol, and it's proponents
prophesy that it will be passed within a fort
night. 1t is the claim of those in charge of the
bill that while it will go the limit" to prose-
cute those who advocate force and violence to
change American institutions no Limitation will
be placed upon peaceable parliamentary efforts
to effect changes in the nations system of gov
ernment.
Two important national movements to in
crease Aniericanism and combat radicalism
were launched during the week. both having
their inception in New York. The Constitu-
tional League and the National Board of Fire
Underwriters are the motivating organizations
and it is their purpose to meet the assaults
of the reds" mainly by vitally needed con-
structive education.
x
In the Congress of the United States the
socialist, Berger, under prison sentence for hav-
ing given aid and comfort to the enemy during
the world war. has once again been denied the
seat to which he elected by a Wisconsin
district. In New York state four socialists
have been denied admittance to. the state legis-
lature to which they were elected by their con-
stituents. While the action of Congress has
received, broadly speaking, the support of the
nation, there has been a very general revulsion
OF sentiment against the course of the New
York state legislature.
The cases have brought to mind the fact
that socialist. pure and simple. may not in
equity be classified as enemy to the nation
Provided he contains his advocacy of the form
of government in which he believes. to methods
warranted under the Constitution it is main
tanned that he is well within his rights BERGER
1t is pointed out, is socialist, but far from
oelng either pure or simple in his socialism.
And having been convicted Of a crime against
the nation, it is believed to be highly proper
our lawmakers. On the other hand, so far as the
facts In the case have been educed today. the
New York socialists are denied their seats solely
on the grounds that they advocate q form Of
government differing from that under which we
live at present. In other words. the objection
to Berger il held 70 be personal, that To the
New Workers. political
The interest in the two cases lies in the fact
that judging from the reactions of the public
to each, there is new and happy assurance that
Nth hair
hatred and contempts to the red criminals Who
shame the nation. still are able to difrerentiate
with justice between the legitimate and the
illegtimate; the lawful and the lawless: the
socialist (however misguided they may believe
him to be) and the red.
While the nation is very properly incensed
at recent disclosures as to the extensive scope
ana criminal methods OF red propaganda in the
United States. 1t is we'll to maintain a sense of
perspective to the extent of appreciatine the
fact that. comparatively speakingy we are ex-
treme1y fortunte. Viewed in conjunction with
the situation obtaining in practically every Eu-
ropean country. the reds on this side of the
Atlantic fade to what is, by comparison an Of
fensive but easily eradicated shade of pink
In Germany. during the past week. radical
communists in the capital Of the nation sought
to rush the reichstag entrances as protest
against the proposal of the government to place
the workmen's councils an approach to the
soviet system. under government control Sew
eral score of the rioters were killed and many
more wounded, when troops fired into and used
bayonets upon them. England is faced with
the threat Of general strike and LLOYD
Georges government reported as rapidly los
ing control" In France alarming number
who actually have the destinies of the nation