Thomas Watt Gregory to Woodrow Wilson

I have the honor to transmit the following information in reply to your letter of July 3, 1917, regarding statement allegec to have been given out by United States Attorney Preston to the San Francisco Examiner.

The matter was first brought to my attention by a telegram date June 30th (received in this Department July 2d), from Rev. PC Yorks, as follows:

The United States District Attorney Preston has given to the Examiner this morning for publication with his approval an anonymous letter, in which the Catholic chaplins in the Army and Navy of the United States are accused of betraying the secrets of the United States Government to enemies. He also accuses American citizens, friends of Irish Freedom, of violation of American laws in demanding that the case of Ireland be considered among the small nationalities entitled to freedom and a democratic form of government. Can nothing be done to abate this man's pernicious activities. His personal habits are such as to remove him from all responsibilities.

A similar telegram was sent to Rev. Mr. Yorke addressed to the Secretary to the President, the White House, and also to Senator Borah and Senator Phelan and others. Subsequently, telegrams of protest were received from the officer of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and others; and on July 9th, the Department received a long letter from Rev. Mr. Yorke, dated July 3d, transmitting a copy of the San Francisco Examiner.

This Department, on July 3, 1917, wired a copy of the Yorke telegram to the United States Attorney, and instructed him to "wire Department at once whether Yorke's telegram states facts correctly, and wire full report." The United States Attorney transmitted, under date of July 5, 1917, a long telegraphic reply, coy of which is hereto attached, which stated in brief that Yorke was the owner an real editor of the Leader, a paper which had severely denounced the war and the Administration for entering into it, and a copy of which had been denied the use of the mails; that since April there had been many pro-German disloyal meeting taking place in San Francisco under the guise of proclaiming Irish independence; and that at one of those meetings Yorke presided  and read a telegram from ex-Senator Works directed against those people who force us into the war.

The United States Attorney further stated that in view of this condition, he asked the press reporters, on June 30th, to give publicity to Sections 3 and 4, Title I, of the Espionage Act, directed against the promotion of disloyalty and interference with recruiting and enlistment. At the same time he showed the reporters certain fanatical letters addressed to him which previous pro-German-Irish meetings had called forth. The agreement was that he, the United States Attorney, should read proof of the article before publication; but the San Francisco Examiner failed to allow him to do this, and published the letter in question which had been complained of, and which letter was anonymous and was as follows:

Did you attend the big patriotic outpouring at Dreamland Rink last night. If you did you will take due notice that the Irish are in the saddle and that while you may be able to bluff and oppress the Germans the Irish are always ready and able to meet you half way. Your boasted land of the free and home of the brave will have to come over to our thoughts and principles. You have no secrets that we don't have and we have many that you don't have. Our clergy in the Army and Navy keep themselves and their friends fully posted. You notice that our flag still floats over the Kay Are Bee Hall on Mission Street right under your nose and what are you going to do about it. The Shamrock will be the American national flower before the conflict is over. Signed Erin.

The United States Attorney telegraphed that he did not endorse or vouch for the letter or claim that it was authentic or its contents true; but "intended this among other letters to be proof bad effect this propaganda."

I transmit herewith the full newspaper report, in order that you may see the connection in which the anonymous letter was published. There would appear to be nothing in the article which is objectionable otherwise then the inclusion of the anonymous letter in question.

In addition to the above, the United States Attorney calls attention to an organization known as the "Friends of Irish Freedom," that in a letter dated July 8, 1917, received in this Department July 14, 1917, he presents facts regarding a plot on the part of this organization to bring about the escape of the German Vice Consul, Von Schack, who was convicted in connection with the Bopp conspiracy, and who is now interned on Angel Island in California under the President's Proclamation of April 6, 1917, relative to alien enemies. This plot has apparently been engineered by the man who is nominally the editor of Rev. Mr. Yorke's newspaper, the Leader. The plot apparently has been to effect the escape of Von Schack and to transport him to Mexico, where he could then deliver secret information which he had for transmission to Germany. This letter matter has not yet been fully developed, and the facts will shortly be laid before the grand jury. It is of the highest degree of importance that the facts here stated by me should not become known to anyone.

I have been informed that the Rev. Mr. Yorke is extremely disloyal, and an active agitator against the war and the Administration, and I believe that Senator Phelan is entirely familiar with his activities.

I transmit herewith a statement which the United States Attorney gave to the press after complaint was made of the original publication, in which statement he explains as follows:

The anonymous letter objected to was not vouched for my me, nor are the contents thereof believed by me to be true. I cited it as the act of a fanatic which showed the impropriety of many of the utterances of these meetings. 
I had not the slightest notion of offending either the religion or patriotism of any American of Irish birth of descent. I have Irish blood in my own veins. I associate daily with Irish and Irish-Americnas, both officially and socially. I have sent my daughter to convent schools. I entertain no religious or social prejudices. I am also strictly in favor of free speech within the honest interpretation of that word. 
There are a few disloyal people in our midst, and I intend to see that they obey the law. And I take it that all citizens will uphold me in this. Further than this I have no motive whatever.
I was really surprised that the newspapers published the letter. I only desired that it be reerred to as the result on the minds of the weak and credulous of some utterances that have been made. 

Respectfully,
TW Gregory
Attorney General.


Enc.