The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-21
me Ferret Out Spy Groups,
Watch For Traitors In u. s.

the Georgia state police to finger
print all aliens.
The City fathers of independence,
made it unlawful for more than
three persons to assemble for the
purpose of assisting any person or
any foreign government in a
plan to usurp the government or
state by force or violence"
Mrs. Edna L. Johnston of the
National Legion of Mothers of
America, calling for formation
Of women's rifle corps in every
state, remarked:
Enemy parachutists in America
will regret the day they first drew
breath"
In Johnstown, Pa, police got a
spy tip" that a nan was having
his hair dyed. Rushing to the bar
Der shop, they learned he "wag
just getting a few of the gray ones
touched up"
In factory studded Pittsburgh.
the Post-Gazette reported that spe-
cial guards were being assigned to
bridgeheads and tunnels near the
great steel, aircraft and munitions
plants of 'the workshop of the
world"
These scattered events and
many more - were indexes of
Americas sudden awakening to a
danger which many felt was none
too remote.
In Washington, officials steadied
their counter-espionage forces for
increased work. Administration
spokesman made it clear that they
were aware Of the danger. At the
same time, they sought to assure
the public that every precaution
would be taken to protect the in
nocent citizen unjustly accused.
Attorney General Jackson - the
man who, in wartime, would be
responsible for internal order in
the nation-declared in a state
ment:
1T is obvious that the depart
ment of justice cannot and should
not reveal its information, or the
nature OF the measures it has taken
or is taking, or the precautions it
has used or is prepared to use
against fifth column activities"
E To reporters crowded into his
paneled conference room, he add
ed:
The duty of the government.
under the circumstances. is to
know who are the members of the
bund, the communist party and
other organizations of that kind"
jackson defined the fifth col.
umn" thus:
ID Saboteurs (wreckers), or per-
sons preparing to commit sabo-
tage. In other words, those seek.
ing to destroy property useful to
national defense.
% Spies, seeking either military
or industrial secrets.
% Representatives of foreign
governments or political parties
by which the attempt is made to
influence American policy on be-
half of foreign governments"
These are the peace-time signs
Of the fifth column"
In event of military attack on
America, alien agents and domes-
tic traitors might be expected to
play an ever more sinister role
If the lessons of Europe h a
meaning for America.
Perhaps a part of the fifth col
umn" is out in the open, as the
Dies committee to Investigate I'M
American activities has charged.
This group Of representatives has
linked the communist party of the
United States with the Communist
International in Moscow, and the
America = Deutscher Volksbund
(better known as the German
American bund) with the third
Reich Of Germany.
Neither the communist party nor
the bund ever has admitted politi-
cal or financial connection with the
Russian or German governments.
Both have refused to register as
agents Of foreign principals at the
state department.
But disgruntled communist
comrades" have sworn that
American dollars flowed into Rus