Evening star., 1928-01-30
The Sandino Stamps.

An organization styling itself the ALL
America Anti-Imperialist League has
been formed In this country to further
the cause Of Gen. Augustine Sandino,
who is now in the field in Nicaragua
at the head Of force Of insurgents
seeking to set up government despite
the efforts Of the United States to
maintain the established administra-
ton. This league. the components Of
which are somewhat vague. has had
prepared a stamp bearing the inscrip-
ton, Protest Against Marine Rule in
Nicaragua" 10 be sold to synpathizers
and 70 be affixed TO letters. When this
move was brought to the attention of
the postmaster Of New York City,
where the organization has its head
quarters. and. it is to be suspected. prac-
tically its whole membership. that off,
eial notified the local secretary Of the
viii be treated as unmailable. The
postmaster cites section 2l2 Of the
United States penal code, which bars
from the mails all libelous, scurrilous
defsmatory and threatening matter and
provides punishment upon conviction
by a fine OF not more than $4,000 or
Imprisonment OF not more than i've
years. or both.
BY this citation Of the penal code
the stamp OF the All-America Anti
Imperialist League Is held to be de-
famatory Of the United States Govern
nent. The secretary OF the league de-
nounces the action as high-handed and
arbitrary and seeks to justify the stamp
by nkening It to that which circulates
once a year In promotion Of the work
for the fighting Of tuberculosis. He
avers that imperialism Is . disease
tust like tuberculosis" and insists upon
the right to use the stamp as q means
Of eradioeting that disease"
The action Of the postmaster at New
York has not yet resulted In any def
Unite procedure. but undoubtedly test
Win be made at once, carrying the mat
ter TO the Federal court. which viii
then be called upon to determine
whether the protest stamp" is In fact
Hbelous, scurrilous or defamatory, cal
csilated to bring into disrepute an es-
tablished policy Of the United States
Government.
A nice question arises In this con-
nection. Arguments against the Mic
arsguan policy Of the United States. II
not couched In actually seditious terms.
may be circulated through the mails.
But q stamp Is q different proposition.
Il Is the practice Of the Post once De-
psrtment TO forbid the afixing upon
letters Of any adhesive placards that
bear semblsnce to q stamp. The
Health seal" IL permitted a. q special
cispensation IN the interest Of the Grad
ication Of disease. To call imperial
Ism" q disease Ia far-fetched. II i'm
perlaitsm can be 20 called-granting
that the American policy in Nicaragua
II imperialism. which II Is not-other
governmental policies may be placed
Al eAAS S1Ceoas va PnsSA~oA oAAAiSHS
requiring extraordinary means for
eradication or change. II these San
dino stamps are permitted. the way is
open for al sorts Of stickers In ad-
vocsey or protest for or against gov
ernmental policies and practices.
thereby using the mails. which are
under the control Of the United States
Government. for the embarrassment
and. It might be. the defea, Of the Gov
eminent itself.
The prohibition OF these stamps
would seem 70 be justified by every
consideration Of public seIf-Yespect.