The Washington herald., 1908-03-29
FIRST DAY OF THE TRIAL.

The trial Of Prof Carl Hau opened In
Carlsruhe. province OF Baden. Germany,
on the morning of July Il. 1907 The court
room was crowded to the utmost ca
pacity. people having begun TO assemble
in front of the courthouse at a very early
hour of the morning, seeking admission.
a detachment of police had been detailed
there however, with instructions 20 per
nit only those persons to enter who had
admission cards. The courtroom was
was dark and gloomy and the greater
part of II had been reserved for those
who were 10 take part in the trlal. II
was particularly 10 be noticed that the
audience was composed almost entirely Of
the better class of people of Carlsruhe
and Baden-Baden. The court was pre-
sided over by DR.. Eller. provincial court
director. The prosecution was represent
ed by District Attorney DR.. Bleicher and
the defense by DR. Dietz, Of Carlsruhe.
formerly provincial court counselor. now
retired.
There were sixty witnesses. chief
among them in interest being the two sis
ters-in-law of the accused, Olga and Fan
ME Molitor. daughters of Mrs. MOlitor,
the victim Of the crime. There was on
exhibit the revolver used and the clothes
which the murdered woman had worn at
the time Of the tragedy.
Shortly before the opening Of the court
Mr. Hau was brought In. He was well
dressed, and although he looked careworn.
he was apparently bearing up magnif-
Gently under the strain.
After the ceremony of opening court
the accused. Carl Hau. charged with hav-
ing killed his mother-in-law, Mrs. joseph
MolitOr. during the afternoon Of the 9Th
Of November. 1906, between the hours of
and o'clock. In the Bichtenthaler road,
in Baden-Baden. Germany
Mr.. Hau stated that he was born on the
Sd Of February. 1881, at Great Littgen.
and that he had never been guilty of anv
offense- The judge then proceeded with
the examination of the accused.
Presiding Judge tto defendant)-Did you commit
the deed with which you are chargedg
Defendant with finn voicel-No
Presiding Judge-You were at Baden Baden at tn,
time this hepDenedi
Defendant-Yes
Presiding Judge-why did you make that trip to
Defendant-I do not care TO say.
Presiding Judge-YOu az time went 20 a sani
tarium for consumDtyes ard later to the Rivers
and Corsica?
Defendant-Yes.
Presiding Judge-In Corsica you became acouaiut
ed with Mrs. Molitor and her daughter How olf
were you then? How did you manage 10 becom,
so closely acquainted with Miss Lena Molitor ant
the other ladiesl
Defendant refuse 10 answer
Presiding Judgc-l would like 70 call your atten
ton 10 The fact that your refusal 10 make state
ment IN 50 grave a matter as this shall he well con
sideeed You aftezsard had some correspondent,
with Miss Lena Molitor. Was that of a passionat,
natureg
Defendant-I refuse 20 answer
Presiding Judgs-The reason for this is not YER
clear in my mind. Miss Molor finally decided 4
nrff ha matt nnAh
she afterward w.ote you she could not become IN,
wife Of anOtherY
pefcndant-I 20 not care to say anything in re
gard 10 that
Presiding Judge-I call your attention To the fac
that this is very hazardous for you. You wer
then married 70 Mss Molitor and went to Wash
ington. Why did you happen 10 60 to that particu
lar Ilacei
tional Capital VI the United States
Presiding Judge-Did you study law in Washing
toni
Defeudant-Yes. and finally became a lecturer an,
assistant professor in George Washington University
was also admitted 70 the bar. l made specialt,
Of international private law and was very successful
Presiding Judge-Iou went to Turkey in 1905. Of.
you me-:
Defendant-I was secretary 10 Consul Genera
Schoenfeld at ConstantinopIe. He was negotiating
with Turkey with regard 10 the Worlds Fair a
81. LOWS.
Presiding Judge-I understand you had large prof
ects in Turkey!
Dofendant-The suggestions came from Schoen
field and was proceeding by direction Of an Amer
lean corporation to endeaFoT to obtain concession
electric railways in the neighborhood Of Constan
tinoplc
Presiding Judge-Your pTojects are said 20 hay
been based on mere possibilities?
Defendant-NO; they we're practical propositions
Consul General SchOenfeid had been induced by tn
Porte TO invite American capital to ConstantinoDle
and he directed me 10 take the necessary steps
Had it not been for a diplomatic conflict be