The San Francisco call., 1899-09-29
ALLEGATIONS OF CONSPIRACY.
JAYNE MACVEAGH, in his argument on be-
n | hall OF Colonel Carter before Attorney General
Griggs on Wednesday, asked for a judicial

& JAYNE MACVEAGH, in his argument on be-
w half OF Colonel Carter before Attorney General
Z Griggs on Wednesday, asked for a judicial
hearing OF the case before civil tribunal, and with
out charging the members OF the court-martal with
any oense other than that OF unfness for trying such
a case as that presented, nmated that a conspiracy
exists among persons OF power and influence TO
prejudice the country against Carter and to procure
his conviction by foul means.
In dealing with that phase OF the subject MacVeagh
is reported to have reced eleven instances of what
he termed positive inventions" the injury OF the
accused, retailed to correspondents OF newspapers
during the past eighteen months, and to have an
nounced that sooner later he expects to reveal the
authors Of these reports expose their motives and
hold somebody responsible Tor them. He is further
reported as intimating that the inventions emanated
from the War Department and to have stated plainly
that the findings OF the court1nartial not made
unanimously, despite the announcement OF the War
Department TO that effect.
Such intimatens of conspiracy are contained in
these carefully guarded words derive weight from the
fact of their by attorney OF high repute
and OF known integrity. They give something of
confirmation to the many stories circulated concern
ing the alleged conspiracy against Carter, and will in
cline the public to believe there is good foundation
for them If false reports of the to the detrnen
of the accused man have been traced to the depart
nent whose officials are in close relations to the
bers OF the court-martal that tried him, it is clear
new trial by a different tribunal should be given il
for no other purpose than that OF removing suspicion
from the public mind and making it clear that justice
has been done
The oubursts of public indignation in this country
over the Dreyfus show how sensitive
when injustice is committed by the military tribunals
OF foreign state, and it is hardly likely be
less sensitive concerning allegation of injustice by
similar court in our own land.
Direct charges that the conviction OF Colonel Carter
was brought about by powerful corporation whose
! frauds he intended to expose have now been made
| by several responsible persons and Attorney Mac
Veagh has intimated that the War Department off
cals if in the conspiracy at least subject its
influences and have worked in its behalf the extent
of issuing lies to newspaper correspondents 1t is
nearly two years since the cournaral reported Car
be guilty of the serious charges against him. and
yet during all that time he has not been punished He
continues to enjoy his liberty his rank and his paw
Why has the penalty decreed by the court not been
carried out by the Government? Is it that Carter is
supported by friends strong that Justice cannot
reach him even though he be guilty is it that there
are reasons to believe him wrongfully convicted?
Whichever view of the case be taken ustifes the re-
quest for trial before civil tribunal The facts
should be made known We cannot afford to have
Dreyf1s case in the United States.