Page:The web (1919).djvu/409

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communities comprising a large foreign element or an element with foreign sympathies. It went to work quietly and steadily, showing good judgment and good sense, as well as good patriotism. Mr. B. K. Miller was Chief of the Milwaukee Division. The membership was made up of substantial men of proven loyalty. The following table tells the story of their work:

Alien enemy cases 10,000
Sedition and disloyalty investigations, and violations
  of the Espionage Act 2,400
Character and loyalty reports 700
Liquor and vice cases 75
Internments 40
Selective Service cases 6,500
War Risk Insurance cases 68

Sparta, Wisconsin, from the spelling of the suspect names in the report, appears to be located in the heart of darkest Germany. One Mr. H—— of that vicinity declared that a letter written to his father in anything but the German language would be an insult. He was interviewed, and it is believed that he has changed his idea by this time. Another local pro-German volubly declared that the Y. M. C. A. was a "damn fraud." He is also thinking it over. Gus L—— would not allow a card with the admonition, "Speak English," to be placed in his store. It may affect his application for his second papers. Carl B—— was called on for a subscription to the Red Cross, but turned down the callers flat. He said he had never sworn obedience to the United States and never would, adding: "They can take me back to Germany or any place they like, and I don't care a damn how quick." Such a man, it would seem, ought to be obliged in the matter of such preferences. A preacher, Rev. E——, seemed to talk German propaganda rather than the Holy Scriptures. He was indicted. August Y—— made seditious remarks in the open, and was reported to the Department of Justice. Henry B—— was reported for threats he made against his neighbor for taking part in the War Work campaign. Several alien enemies who were applying for citizenship were held while their records were looked up. Joe M—— believed the Y. M. C. A. to be a "graft," and thought our boys were sent to France