The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-06-01
THE DEFENDANTS PROTEST
Ringing Words Addressed TO the
Court by Mr.. Timayenis.
He Emphatically Denies an Impnta.
ton Prosecutors Discounted
ed by a Witness.

The trial Of Telemaque 7. Timayenis, who
is charged with violating the United States
statutes, which began on Wednesday last,
and waspostponed from Friday IN Ill today,
was resumed in criminal court No. 1 before
Chief Justice Bingham this morning Mr..
Tlmaycnis was in court eaIly, accompan-
panied by several of his countr ymen.
All OF tire witnesses were on hand anI
after the jury for the June term had been
called aud sworn, the case was taken up.
When the case was adjourned on Friday
last, the defense had, on the stand, one of
its most stimportant witnesses, DiogeneS KitZ-
oSs, linguist of note, and at present
instructor OF Oriental languages to Sen
atOr Hoar, Representative BuTreil and DR..
Newman, pastor OF the First Congrega-
tiunal Church. His testimony showed that
the alleged obscene word, ''poustis,' is Of
Turkish origin, and is used in no obscene
sense throughout Turkey and Greece.
He was again placed on the stand this
morning and reiterated his former testi-
mony. being frequently interIogated by the
chief Justice.
Mr. RalStUn again attempted to intro
duce the Greek newspaper, Atlantis, and
called upon the witness to explain a GER
tain sentence, but Assistant District At
torney Shillington objected.
Il do not think" said he, this question
is at all relevant TO the matter in hand
your honor, aud most certainly object to
its introduction"
Il only wish to show, your honor" said
which Mr. Vlasto declined 10 read because
they were in ancient Greek are not, but in
modern Greek"
The objection being overruled, the wit
ness stated that il was the modern Greek
Of the present day.
Mr.. Ralston then requested him to read
it, but Government counsel objected, and
the court, in lengthy opinion, sustained
the objection.
Mr.. Shillin gton, for the Government then
subjected the witness to severe crosS-eX-
animation, with the view of weakening his
testimony, but without apparent success.
The witness caused laughter in the court,
and somewhat chagrined the prosecution
when he told the jury that every diction-
ary of the four or five handed him by Mr..
Shillin gton were by the same author.
A dramatic incident occurred when Mr..
Shillington attempted TO have the witness
show that the defendant had been Grim
nally prosecuted once before. Mr.. Ralston
objected. Mr. Timayenis, highly excited
and indignant, Jumped UP and addressing
the bench, exclaimed: Your honor. it is
net true. 1t is false. -
His earnestness and indignation made
marked impression upon the judge, jury
and spectators.
The next witness for the defense was
George Opero, of Sparta Greece. He said
that the alleged obscene letters were
shown to him by Mr.. Shillington, and that
he asked him to be a witness Mr.. Shilling
ton objected, but the court overT iled him.
The witness found some difficulty in ex-
pressing himself. He said that the word
''poustis'' is frequently used by his people.
Mr. Ralston suggested that an Interpreter
should be used. The prosecution strenu-
ously obPcted, but the chief justice over
ruled, and witness named Pope was
used as an Interpreter, while the Govern
ment called Prof Thomas. OF the State
Department, to observe the examination.