The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-22
DAMAGING ADMISSION MADE BY AR
THUR CHAMBERLAIN.
Point i'm a Noted Libel Case Brought
Out Plainly by the Lord
Chief Justice.

LONDON, March 21.-The Kings bench
division of the High Court of Justice was
again the center of attraction to-day, owing
to the hearing of the libel actions brought
against the Star and the Morning Leader
by Arthur Chamberlain, brother of Joseph
Chamberlain, and Neville Chamberlain. a
son of Arthur Chamberlain. in connection
with charges bearing on War Office con-
tracts, which are being heard before the
lord chief justice. Lord Aversion. the de-
PENDANTS pleading that the articles printed
were not libelous and were fair comment
on matters of public interest.
The cross-examination of Arthur Cham
berlain was continued. He declared he had
formed the opinion that the main object Of
the licles was to viify his brother Jo-
seph, in doing which they vilifed him.
Though the papers one day disclaimed the
intention of imputing corruption and dis
honesty to Joseph Chamberlain, on the fol-
lowing day they printed something which
was more libelous than ever. He (Arthur
Chamberlain) had not communicated with
the newspapers before bringing the action.
He had consulted with Mr.. Joseph Cham
berlain, and the latter took legal advice
and told him that nothing had occurred on
which action was maintainable. To say.
as the defendants averred, that the Kyn-
cchs were favored by the government was
untrue and libelous Mr.. Arthur Chamber
lain considered that IL would be dishonor-
able for him TO receive favoritism from the
government.
Counsel for the defendants produced let
ters purporting TO have passed between the
Kynochs and the Nobes by which the
former agreed to keep up the prices of the
powder for which the latter had made a
tender to the British government. Arthur
Chamberlain repudiated all knowledge of
the letters. Subsequently he admitted that
there had been an agreement in 1894 be-
tween the Kynochs. Nobels and Chilworths
in connection with a fixed price for cordte.
Counsel read the evidence given by the
Mobiles manager before the committee ON
War Office contracts, to the effect that
Arthur Chamberlain told him he had per-
sonal influence TO secure contracts.
In regard TO the cordite contract secured
for Arklow in 1885, Arthur Chamberlain said
he did not see any Irish members OF Par
lament but got local pressure put on them
by telling the working people that the shops
would be closed unless the contract was Sc
cured.
Here the lord chief justice interjected:
.'You pulled the strings"
Counsel read couple of letters from
Arthur Chamberlain TO the manager of the
Arklow works urging that local pressure
be brought TO bear on the Irish members of
Parliament and telling the manager that
William Field. member for the ST. Patrick !
division of. Dublin was about TO visit th..
works. The manager was invited not TO
say anything untrue. but to select those
truths which were most illustrative OF the
! advantages Mr.. Chamberlain brought to
Arklow. On further cross-examination
| Arthur Chamberlain admitted that the
| Kynoehs secured government orders for
cordite when their tenders were higher than
others. The case was again adjourned.