Joliet, Illinois, has certain mills which harbor a large foreign element, Austrians and others. Several arrests and one internment put a quietus on German propaganda work among these people. “We worked through local foreign priests in whom they have confidence,” says the local chief, and he adds: “We feel now that this hotbed of Austrianism is a fertile field for the so-called Bolshevist movement, as the sort of people most frequently dealt with are very susceptible to this propaganda. They feel that they can express themselves freely, now that the war is over, and they are pleased at this opportunity. We believe that there is still much work ahead before the Bolshevist movement ceases to be a menace in these parts.”
Bloomington, Illinois, cites as its stand-out case the capture of a German sailor, who was interned with the Princess Irene, the German boat at Hoboken, and had broken parole. The Chief says: “We had considerable other work to do in conducting investigations and in stopping the propaganda of loud-mouthed Germans.”
Rock Island, Illinois, is one of the most famous arsenal towns in the country, the Ordnance Department having erected large works there many years ago. All such posts were danger foci during the war. Rock Island Division investigated 382 disloyalty and sedition cases, and 138 cases of propaganda. The selective service regulations required 548 investigations. There were also the usual number of cases taken on for the Housing Committee (it was a big problem to house Rock Island’s war population), the Red Cross, the U. S. Commissioner, the U. S. Marshal, the County Sheriff, the Liberty Loan committees and war charities. Certainly a very satisfactory record for a place where something might have blown loose had enemy wishes come true!
Epworth, Illinois, worked in close touch with the State Council of Defense. The Chief reports: “Our community was loyal during the Civil War, and when this work came on, we gladly put our shoulder to the wheel again. A few said things quite out of place, but you can believe we were never Germanized here. Our worst enemies were those who would rather part with their sons than with their coin—though they did neither willingly. We examined some applicants for overseas service.”
Alton, Illinois, just across the river from St. Louis, had some investigations for Military Intelligence, and some overseas investigations. The division had occasion to assist the Special Agent of the Department of Justice in St. Louis a number of times when quick action was needed.
WISCONSIN
Justly or not, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, had the reputation of being about the most German community in the most nearly German state of the Union. No sweeping conclusions need be advanced as to either side of this proposition herein, for evidently, all said and done, Milwaukee is Milwaukee, and is well known throughout the country. There was a time, even previous to our entering the war against Germany, when salesmen traveling out of Milwaukee were unable to sell their goods to the retail trade throughout the Middle West. They were obliged to go back to their houses and to say that the city which they represented was in bad repute. Just or not, these were the facts, and in time the better-class business men of Milwaukee, most of whom have not lacked in loyalty, began to see that some remedy must be found for this prejudice existing against their city.
During the Civil War the Germans of Wisconsin, descendents of the heavy German immigration of 1848 and the years immediately following, had a splendid representation in the Northern army. The sons of these men are among the most prominent business men in Wisconsin and of Milwaukee to-day, and it were worse than wrong loosely to accuse them all of disloyalty to this country. Upon the other hand, Milwaukee, being a heavy German settlement, did not lack in wrong-headed persons who retained their allegiance to a flag other than our own. These did the usual amount of talking—perhaps more than the usual amount. For them the Milwaukee Division of the American Protective League had the same remedy that has been found efficient in other 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 to be butchered. Duly interviewed about it. O. W. S——, cashier of a bank, wrote a letter in which he stated his bank would not take any Government certificates. He gave as his reason that he was short of help, as one of his men was being held in the army against his will and “against the wishes of the community.” He was spoken to.