The Washington herald., 1907-11-03

by EN-ATTACHE.
Germany's press is just at present in
the throes Of "a discussion as to the wis
dom OF according full need of pub
lcity to scandals, such as that involved
by the suit for criminal libel brought by
Gen Count Kuno Moltke. former COVER
nor of Berlin. and aide-de-camp of the
Emperor, against Macmillan Harden, the
editor 8 The "ZJkunfi, which, has just
been decided in Harden's favor. That the
people at large have been not only dis
gusted, but nauseated by the details
which have appeared in Teut0n print, is
apparent from the trend of journalistic
comment, which in Germany. as well as
here reflects popular sentiment Quick
TO note the latter, and to perceive that
"a reaction has set in against what has
been so graphically described in this coun-
try as undertaking. the very German
newspapers which showed the least re-
ticence in furnishing to their readers I'M
eXpurgated reports of the evidence. are
now busy in denunciatlon Of the Judge
for having abstained from trying the salt
in camera. intimating that the scandal
was one which a magistrate with more
tact and experience would have found
means Of suppressing quietly and with
out offending the popular sense Of NOR
atty
OF course, the conditions in the United
States are somewhat different from those
in the old world, for whereas on this
side Of the Atlantic the principle Of equal
ity IS deeply rooted in the breast of every
American citizen, and is perhaps tine first
notion that the newly arrived migrant
imbibes after landing on these shores. In
Europe, despite the spread of democracy
and the phenomenal progress OF socialism.
much Of the old-time submissiveness and
reverence ON the part of the masses for
the classes, remains II takes the form
of readiness and anxiety on the part of
the people Of the middle classes and
lower grades of society Co follow bludly
in the lead of those whom they regard
As their superiors IN rank. not alone
IN dress, manner. and speech. but even
in conduct To such an extent is this
the case that the most eminent Grim
nologists of the Old World. the scientists.
as Well as those exercising magiSteriai
and judicial authority, are practically
unanimous in their opinion that any pub
hcity accorded 60 the misdeeds of "a per-
son Of rank and position affects iniu-
riously the moral tone Of the masses, and
becomes an Indictment 20 crime.
Hush Up High ones NIiSdeedE.
1t is on the strength Of these argu-
meuts that distinguished lawyers. Off
Gals iutrusted with the administration Of
Justice. and even the ROYAL and imperial
arb.ters OF society abroad combine I'm an
endeavor 90 hush up crime 90 ara extent
of which the people in this country have
but little conception. Means are usually
found of giving the offenders their de
serts. but public morality is protected by
the avoidance Of undue publicity in the
case In England. for instance. the crown
prosecutor. the funcuonary who. like the
district attorney in America. is virtually
charged with the duty OF determining
what cases shall Dee prosecuted on behalf /
Of the people, has been for years an Irish /
peer, namely, Lord Desart whose brother 1
and heir is a home ruler and whose /
daughter, Lady Sybn. is married to w. /
Bayard Cutting jr, of New York. It de- I
ponds mainly upon him whether a crimi- I
nal OF high degree is OF is not brought 90 /
public trial In a number Of Instances. /
both during the tenure of Office OF Lord /
Desart and under the long regime OF his I
respected predecessor. the /
late Sir Augustus Stephenson, no proceed /
lugs for prosecution have been instituted 1
until the offender was well beyond the /
reach of the authorities, and this prac- 4
Jice has even been carried 20 such 1
point that IN some notable cases the 4
police have actually warned criminals, /
where offenses against morality /
were concerned, that warrants mad been \
issued for their arrest. which would be !
held back twenty-f0Ur hours in order TO
enable them 10 get out Of the country.
Many cases of this kind could be cited
But il IS only fair TO add that I'm acting
thus. Lord Desart. rs well as the other
nagisterial and police officials concerned,
are prompted solely by considerations of
public veal and morality, and that not
wen the most bitter opponents Of the
y stem have ever imputed 20 any Of them
dishonesty, corruption. or even family
considerations in the matter. The offend
n thus permitted to escape is rarely
heard Of again. Realizing that with the
iort Of FreemasOury which exists between
he police of all civilized nations. he is
liable to be kept under observation in
whatever country he takes up his resi-
fence he is likely to seek refuge in some /
emote corner of the globe, where chang
ng his name an outlaw, and virtually
lead 70 his fellow-countrymen and his
amily, his one object Is oblivion.
When the MufIer Fails.
1t is only now and again that the gem
raj public becomes aware of the de-
rec to which the practice Of hushing up
rhine is carried on abroad, owing TO in
discretion or violation of contract in con-
lection with some particular case. Thus.
few years ago London society was
tartled by the news of the arrest OF
me of its most eminent and fashionable
aides physicians, on the charge of for
cry. During the proceedings which fol-
owed, the fact was brought to light
hat Dr. Collins, who was at one time
onnected in a medical capacity with
he Royal Horse Guards. mad forged the
ignature of a fellOw-officer and Of a
member Of Parliament, namely, Capt.
elwyn, to a promissory note for $780,
IN the forgery being discovered and
rought home to him, he had made a ]
fritten confession thereof to the captain
nd TO the three friends whom the latter
ad consulted in the matter. Lord Wal
ingham. high steward of the University
] Cambridge; Col Sir Nigel Kingscote.
Of the Kings household and
ne Of his equerries and Maj. Atherley. /
f the Royal Horse Guards. Acting on
he advice of these friends, and taking
1to consideration the plea of Dr. Col
ms that the forgery was his only Of