The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
EMPEROR WILLIAM
 WATCHES THE CASE Harden-Von NoItke Trial Is
 One of Great Interest PROCEEDINGS IN PRIVATE General Public and Newspaper Men Are Shut Out of Court Room By
 the Judges, as the Testimony
 Is Not Fit for Publication.
PROCEEDINGS IN PRIVATE

Berlin, December 2O.-Emperor William, whois following the evidence taken in the Harden-Von Moltke libel suit with
 the utmost attention, today sent Lieut. Proeretener Der Hoele, of the fusiliers, to the court house as a special represen- tative in order to secure full and im- partial report of the proceedings. The justice decided to permit the lieutenant to remain after the court adjourned and was thus able to obtain the details of the trying ordeal which Prince Philip Zu Gutenberg underwent during the secret session this afternoon when he re- mained for three hours on the witness stand. Owing to the exclusion of the press and public from the session aId the close secrecy observed by all persons con nected with the case no statements on which reliance can be placed are ob- tainable regarding the testimony ad- duced
 Frau von Elbe also was on the stand for an hour and a half When she en- terered the court she was pale and nerv- ous but when she left her face was flushed and she seemed to be excited
 Count von Moltke, who was present throughout the session, also failed to be examined.
 Reports that further proceedings will be held in the chambers have caused general disappointment for the opinion pre- vails the Count Kuno von Moltke should be given an opportunity to rehabilitate himself before the public, which heard the terrible charges brought against him at the previous trial. The case is ex- pected to continue until December 24.
 Proceedings In Secret.
 Prince Philip Zu Eulenberg. Frau von Elbe, the divorced wife of Gen. Count kuno von Moltke, and Frau won Heyden, mother Of Frau von Elbe, testified in camera at today's hearing of the Har- camera at todays hearing of the liar den-Von Moltke libel suit, the court hay ing decided that the interest of public morality required the exclusion of all persons not immediately connected with the court
 The only witness heard openly was Col Otto Won Moltke, a cousin of Count Von Moltke. Colonel Won Moltke is a studious-looking man of O. He spoke with much emotion of his 9 years friend ship with the co-plaintiff. They had comnianded squadrons of the same life guard regiment at Breslau. After he left the army the colonel was often the guest of Count Kuno in Berlin He be- lieved, he said, that he knew him bet ter than any one else. He was always popular with his officers and men. His eousin the colonel continued, was one whp exercised elevating influence on those he met. rather than a lowering one. The colonel had observed Count Kuno's friendship with Prince Phil Zu Eulen- berg on the occasion of the various visits both of them had made to the prince at his castle at Liebenburg, but he never gained the impression that the relations between the two men were other than what was to be expected in an ordinary friendship. To these statements the colonl took oath.
 Regarding the statement made by liar den in the course of the civil action that he would only be able to repeat in camera the remarks about Count Kuno made by General Count Huelzen Baezler, chief of the Emperor's military cabinet, the wit ness read letter from the general in which he said that he was not conscious Of having made such remarks to any one.
 Duel Is Declined.
 The colonel produced a thick typewrit- ten document from which to refresh his memory concerning the offices he had carried out between Count Kuno and Har- den. The count had come to him in his hotel in Berlin on May 8 and said he was in great trouble. He asked the wit ness if he would stand by him, and this the colonel readily promised Later he carried challenge from his cousin to Harden to fight duel but Harden de- clined.
 The colonel is at present holding a sinecure in the state Lutheran church, being head of the cath edral chapel and superintendent of church properties
  examined the witness closely as to whether he or his cousin had taken l the least notice of the article in Die l Zukunft until Emperor William took the action which resulted in Count | Kuno Von Moltke resigning the posi- tion of military commandant of Berlin. | The colonel admitted that Count Kuno | had handed in his resignation on May | II. He declared he had taken his | cousins word of honor to Harden deny ing the insinuations published in Die | Zukunft. Harden had not accepted this | communication and the count then for mally challenged him to fight duel on | foreign soil. Harden declined this pro- posal by letter.
 Too Much for Public.
 At this stage of the proceedings the | public prosecutor announced that | Prince Zu Gutenberg, accompanied by | hls two sons, was Tn an adJoln1ng room. | He was so i'll, the prosecutor declared, | that he begged to be heard immediately | and the suggestion was made that the | defense might wish to put questions to | the Prince, which the father would not | desire his sons to hear. Dr. Isenbiel, | the state attorney, then moved, in the | interests of morality, that the public, | including the newspaper representa- | tives, be excluded until further notice. l Tha fhprplInon nd in five minutes they returned and directed the bailiffs to invite all per sons unattached to the court to leave | the chamber. It Is understood that the | public will not again be admitted, al- | though both sides have advocated pub i