OCR Text |
Show BELL HAKES POSJflVE CHARGES. The theory upon which the military authorities of Colorado are deporting numbers of tho organzltlon of Western Federation of Miners is fully disclosed in the statement now mado by Adjutant Adju-tant General Bell. It Is that this concern con-cern Is responsible for the murders, outrages, and destruction that have been committee in the strike district. He puts the case squarely, and makes the charge direct. The leaders, he assorts, have not hesituted to cause "weak and willing; members to commit any crime to strike terror to property owners or worklns-mcn worklns-mcn who refuse to abide their ' decisions." deci-sions." And coming down to particulars, particu-lars, ho charges that the murder of non-union men by blowing up tho Independence In-dependence station was "perpetrated with tho aid and advice of Federation leaders, and by men In their employ." In (his ho is supported by the findings of the coroner's jury. That Is as specific and direct a charge as could be formulated. And he explains ex-plains further that his act in decreeing tho banlohment of the members of that Federation was based on the propositions, proposi-tions, recited: that they are criminals, and that It is "a military necessity" to deport them. Those who remember tho organization of this Federation in this city, its declared objects and purposes, and the Incendiary ndvico given at that time by Boyce, who had tho organization organiza-tion charge, and who was for several years its president, will not be surprised sur-prised at the conclusions arrived at by Gen. Bell. At the same time, the country hoped that it might not be so; that the investigation inves-tigation would show that the crime at Independence was perpetrated by reckless reck-less and inhuman wretches who were actlnir for themselves alone. But It is Incredible that Gen. Bell should make such specific charges as he doe3 in this conncotlon without having what he at least considers a solid basin to proceed upon. It Is possible, of course, that ho may be mistaken in ths, but at least the probability lies with him until something better Is shown. But this brings up anew the question of unloading these alleged desperate and Inhuman criminals upon other communities. com-munities. We hold that Colorado has no right, moral, legal or In decency or comity, to inflict this mass of deported lawless men upon her neighbors. If they are what she claims them to be. then it Is nothing less than an outrage for her" to unload them In the way she Is doing. It Is her plain duty to keep her criminals at home, and deal with them in her own way, at the scene of their crimes, where their offenses, if any. can be proved, and the perpetrators perpetra-tors duly punished. The policy of sotting sot-ting alleged criminals free to prey upon sister commonwealths Is unworthy of any American State. |