The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-04
HARDEN CONVICTED,
IS sent TO Pa|S0N
German Iconoclast Is Adjudgcd
Guilty Of Libeli1g Won
Moltke.

IMOltke.
BERLIN, January 3.---The notorious
Harden-yon Moltkc libel suit came K
an end this evening, when tle nccttscs
editor Of Die Zukunft was sentence,
to four months luprisorment ana L,
pay the entire costs OF both the prea
ent and the former trial. When til.
court re-nsscmbled at 5:lb this evening
the president OF the court at once de.
lyered his Judgment
Tho president said that in spite oil
the prisoners Insertion that the In.
situations contained in the articles rn.
ferred merely to the scientific ane
artistic ,leanings OF Count Won Moltkt
and Prime. Pnhip lu gutenberg, ano
that they had nothing whatever to dc
with immoral or unnatural practices
II was evident that II this was the
meaning II had been intended to con-
vey the articles were senseless and
purposeless. There was no doubt, the
president OF the court declared, that
Harden had meant to imply that Count
/ Kuno Won Nloltke was possessed OF un-
natural incinations. while his refer
ence &, the intercourse between Count
Won Moltke and Prince Zu Eulenburs
certainly left the impression tuat lliicil
relations existed. 4
The intention of the prisoner was 70
CpgfaGG Count NCu DjpILht Gnu
Zu Eulenburg in the eyes of the pubic.
Finds Chmrgcs Unfoun'ic.
The proceedings had proved that all
the charges made by Harden were ah-
sol,,tely withou: foundation. Both the
count and the prince We're men of arts
Tic tastes, whose friendship. dating
from their youth, had grown stronger
with the passing of the years Harden
had founded his charges primarily on
statements which he asserted had been
made by the late Prince Won Bismarck,
who, II he really did say these things,
had done SO In a moment OF anger.
Then Harden had received communica-
tions from Mrs. Won Elbe, the divorced
wife of Count Won Moltke, hyster-
zeal woman. who was embittercd
against the man to whom she had been
unhappily married. while the assertion
made by DR.. Schweninger, who was at
one time physician to Prince Won Bis
marck, was undoubtedly biased. Har-
den had never attempted TO obtain
proofs. which could easily have been
+ had ii they had been In existence
All the charges had been utterly dis
proved during the trial, and Harden
could have disproved his charges HIM
Self before publishing his articles.
Even the notorious incident when Won
Moltke was seen kissing handkerchief
which belonged to Zu Eulenburg had
been shown to be perfectly harmless.
Count Won Moltke." said the prince,
In conclusion, leaves this court with
his name and his honor untarnished,
and nothing whatever has been proved
against Prince Philip Zu Eulonburg.
Gen for his offense, and must, there
tore, sentence him to imprisonment
But in consideration Of the health of
the accused, i will send him to prison
Tor only four months"
Harden Appeals Case.
II is understood that Harden has
entered an appeal
AT tho morning session of the court
Harden was heard in his own defense,
and his speech was most eloquent. He
.seid ne assumed full responsibility for
what he had written, but not for the
given by other people to
his articles.
He had refrained from publishing
the things against Won Moltke that
ne had heard from Prince Won Bis
march, Mrs. Won Elbe and Professor
Schweninger until Won Moltke reached
"A position in the encourage Of the En-
.peror where his Influence might be
injurious to the fatherland. Then only
articles to Won Moltke's relations with
Prince Philip Zu Eulenburg to remove
this bad influence. He was convinced
that ring had been formed around
the Emperor, and Which he was de-
termined to endeavor to break through. |
IL nis articles had accomplished this
result he was glad, but IL in his writ
ing he had libeled Won Moltke he
had never intended to do sc.
Il never meant to libel the count"
Harden CONT. ued, ''and nobody know
ing me could imagine that / would
deliberately defame any one. Everybody
is aware that l was working purely I
from political motives. IT, however. |
owing to the peculiarities of my style. |
This reibunait considers that | should |
be punished, then ! am prepared TO
undergo Imprisonment. but-it will be |
with the conviction that l do not &C.
serve this punishment
History of Suit.
Articles published by Harden in Die (
Zukunft several months ago alleged /
that Emperor William was surrounded
by a camarilla that eXerted an nju- /
rious influence in political matters, and
that members Of this group particu-