The Washington herald., 1906-11-11
CANNOT PROTECT HAU
State Department Has No
Right to Interfere in Case.
IS NOT AMERICAN CITIZEN
Il. Ralph Burton, in Charge of Pro-
fessOr's Affairs, Calls on Officials
Friends Here StiH Insist Instructor
in George Washington University
Cannot be Guilty OF Murder.

That the State Department can take no
action in the case of Carl Hau. being held
In London. charged with the murder Of
his mother-in-laW, Frau Molitor, in Ba-
dem Baden, Germany, on the night OF No
vember 6. is the statement of attorneys
here.
The reason is that Hau Is a German
citizen, having never become naturalized
IN the United States. Consequently, he
has no more recourse TO the United states
government than an American. making
his home in Germany, would have If he
visited this country and committed or was
suspected of crime.
The State Department has received no
official advjces on the subject, according
TO statement made last night by II.
Ralph Burton. representing Hau's inter-
ests in Washington, who went TO the de-
partment yesterday afternoon TO see if
any news had been received by the Off
cials there.
It was said that it is probable the
United States will take no official action
in the matter at the present, as it seems
to be resting between Great Britain and
Germany.
Mr.. Burton said he believed Prof Hau
has been remanded, and, according to the
English law on the subject is not allowed
to communicate with his friends. It is
not known whether Mrs. Hau. his wife,
has sailed for the United States
The law library force Of the State De-
partment was kept busy all yesterday
looking up cases and laws that might
have some bearing on the case. So far
the department officials have not found
any authority on which they could posi-
bly, interfere
Might BE Insane.
What do YOU think Of the suppOsition
that he committed the crime with which
he is charged. while he was insane?'
1T is my firm belief that he had too
perfect control over his mind and actions
10 ever go insane. yet any man is liable TO
lose his mind. II he is guilty, he is in
sane. Sane or insane. il is impossible to
believe he could ever commit such a mur-
der.
The man who sent the telephone mes
sage and telegram and committed the
crime was a fool Carl Hau could never
be a fool, even If insane To think that
beard or any other disguise is foolish
He was such a gentleman ne would natuT-
ally shrink from doing such a thing. II
would be very easy for any one who had
a grudge against Mr. Hau's mOther-in-law
to initiate his voice and send the tele-
gram"
As a lawyer, do you think that the
State Department has any authority to in
terfere in his behalf2"
NO. l do not think that It is possible.
as Carl was not citizen of the United
States and is still a subject OF the Ger
man crown. He is very well acquainted
with the merits Of his case, as he has de-
voted the best part of his time to the
study of international law.
Cannot Believe Him Guilty.
1t is my firm conviction that Carl
Hau could not and did not commit the
crime charged against him" This is an
assertion made by Allan o. Clephane. a
prominent attorney OF this city, and IN
whose office Hau worked for over a year,
just after his graduation from college.
7 do not think that any of Mr. Hau's
friends viii receive any communication
from him until he establishes his inno-
cence continued Mr.. Clephane. He
is too proud 10 ask for assistance at this
time"
when you have attended school with
a man for three years, and then have him
under your personal observation for a
year you know him thoroughly. inside
and out ! have never known him to do
a thing that he did not carefully look into,
and If it was In the slightest way wrong