New-York tribune., 1907-07-21
Broadway, Sth and 9th Sts.
EXPLANATION BY HAU.
TAINTED TO SEE WOM1N.
Prisoner Shoes Signs of Loss OF
Nerrc-IS Uinning Sam pathY.


Karlsruhe. July 2O-Karl Hau. formerly pro-
fessor at George Washington University. Wash
ingtOn. who is on trial here for the murder Of
his mother-in-law. Frau Molitor. at Baden
Baden made statement to the court tonight
intended to explain his suspicious actions at
the time of the murder. The statement was
made to prevent the punishment of a fellow
prisoner. an artist named Lenck, in whom Hau
had confded. and who had refused 10 testify,
Hau would not give permission.
At the evening session the judge announced
that he had decided TO impose a fine on Lenck
for refusing To testify. Thereupon Hau arose
and said rather than Lenck punished he
would make an explanation. He had returned
20 the Continent, he said, To see Olga Molitor.
his sister-in-law, for whom he had conceived
violent passion. He wanted 10 meet her before
he returned the United States. She knew
nothing of his intention. and he had assumed
disguise in order to carry out his purpose un-
recognized.
Hau admitted the correctness Of the testimony
of all the witnesses regarding his actions In
Baden-B Baden, and said that he telephoned with
the sole purpose of getting Frau MoIiter away
from the house. When later he Olga
leave the house with her mother he was so
disappointed over the Illustration OF his plan
that he went to the station at full speed. He
had heard no shot fired
The presiding Judge asked Hau why he adopt
ed such a roundabout procedure. why he had
not communicated directly with Olga. Hau
answered that he too agitated at the time
to adopt clear plan of action.
GREAT INTEREST IN CASE.
The four days of the trial have left Hau's fate
still uncertain. The German public is showing
an absorbing interest in the case. and the news
papers are selling greatly enlarged editions 10
satisfy the demand for the latest news on the
trial
The streets outside the courtroom are filed
continuously by a large crowd. in which may
be seen at any time many well dressed women
The police have been barely able 10 clear
passage through the crowd to the entrance OF
the court for the few fortunate persons who
have been admitted The courtroom Itself is still
crowded at every session. The fourth day of the
trial has no diminuton in the audience
The holding of night sessions Of the court is an
evidence Of the close attention that is being
paid to all the details Of the case.
Hau remains the centre of attraction. The
crowd is giving him a certain admiration be-
cause Of the fortitude with which he bears up
against the array of facts pointing 70 his guilt
Nevertheless. he evidently is losing confidence,
and the long strain is beginning 10 tell on his
nerves. He no longer whispers cheerfully 10 his
counsel Herr Dietz and to-day it was clear
that his self-contained and courteous de
meanor was assumed. When he entered the
courtroom this morning his pallid face showed
deep lines of brooding and he sat long with
bowed head avoiding the gaze Of the audience
He made his responses 70 Jue iItSNA'tiS dSNVN
by the Judge in the fewest words possible
The svmpathlcs of the audience evidently are
turning in favor of Hau. Much criticism IS heard
of the attitude of the state attorney, Dr. Bleich-
er and of the presiding judge.
II has now become clear that ths line OF action
Of the defence is to throw suspicion on man
named Wieland who in the employ OF the
Molitors as a manservant- Witnesses have tes-
tilted that Wieland went to an employment
agency in an effort to get 4 place in North
n
Frau Molitor. she was crazy Wieiand ap-
pesred upou the scene of the tragedy immediate
w after the shooting. 1t was noticed that his
trousers were torn This he explained by say
ing they had caught while he was climbing
over a fence The personal appearance of Vie
land however. does not agree with that of the
man who was seen following the MotOrs Vie
land is beardess and twenty-one years old,
while the other has been described as
middle aged with an iron gray beard and wear
ING q brown overcoat. Various witnesses have
testified that Wieland wore a lackey's uniform
when he apnpeared at the scene of the shooting.
4 mysterious circumstance is that Wieland dis
appeared soon after the murder and the pros
ecutfng authorities have not been able TO find
him. If he and the man seen following the
NIo1itors are the same person he also must have
disguised himself with a false beard
HAU FORCED To EXPLAIN.
soon after the morning session opened to-day
orother tilt between opposing counsel occurred,
during which Herr Dietz, counsel for Hau, de-
cIared he had sent his representatives this
morning to DR. Bleicher, the state attorney, IN
connection with remarks made by the attorney
YESTERDAY DR.. Blecher refused to receive Herr
Dietz's representatives. Her DietZ later in
formed the newspaper correspondents that he
Intended this a preliminary step 10 a duel
DR. Rleicher said yesterday evening that the
criticism made by Herr Dietz of the experts
testimony insulting. Whether this incident
is closed not is not vet apparent.
Haus statement to-day was forced in a
satiOnal manner. The first move was the sud
den summoning. on a motion by Herr Dietz of
two witnesses from Karlsruhe One of these is
Lenck who recently confined in the
prison with Hau upon a charge of which he
has since been acquitted. and the other is his
counsel DR.. Voegee. The latter swOre his
client had interview with him, in which he
said he had impOrtant Information. obtained