New-York tribune., 1908-01-04
HARDEN SENT TO JAIL
Editor ConJicted Of Libel-Four
Months and Costs.

accused editor of Die Zukunft' was sentenced
to four months Imprisonment and pay the
entire costs Of both the present and former
trials Harden and Count Kuno Motke sat
on opposite sides Of the courtroom, which was
crowded
The president of the court said that in spite
Of the prisoners assertion that the insinuations
contained in the articles which appeared in Die
Zukunft' referred merely to the scientific and
artistic Ieanings of Count Won Moltke and Prince
Philip Eulenburg. and that they had nothing
whatever TO do with immoral or unnatural prae-
tices. ii was evident that if this was the mean
ing it had been intended to convey the articles
were seHseless and purposeless- There was
no doubt, the president said, that Harden had
meant to imply that Count Won Noltke was
possessed of unnatural inclinations. while his
reference TO the intercourse between Count Won
Moltke and Prince zu Eulenburg certainly left
the impression that evil relations existed be-
tween them The intention Of the prisoner was
to degrade Count Motke and Prince zu
Euenburg in the eyes of The public
The trial had proved that ali the charges
made by Harden were absolutely without foun-
dation. Both the count and the prince were
men of artistic tastes, whose friendship, dating
from their youth had grown stronger with the
passing of the years. Harden had founded MS
charges primarily on statements which he as
Bismarck, who. if he really did say these things.
had done so in moment of anger against Ger
tain men. Then Harden had received conmu-
nications from Frau Won Elbe, the divorced
wife of Count Won Moltke. hysterical woman
who was embittered against the man TO whom
she had been unhappily married while the
assertions made by DR.. Schweninger, who was
at time physician to Prince Won Bismarck,
undoubtedly were bassed.
I'd rba had ar
tempted TO obtain proofs against men occupy
ing such prominent posts. Had these proofs
been in existence they could easily have been
obtained No serious minded writer should dare.
for political object, to attempt to injure the
honor Of others. All the charges had heen ut
terly disproved during the trial, and Harden
could have disproved his charges himself before
publishing his articles. Even the incident when
Moltke was seen kissing handkerchief
which belonged TO zu Eulenburg had been
shown to be perfectly harmless. and the alega-
ton that Won Moltke used cosmetics had been
equally disposed of.
Count Won Moltke,'' said the president Of the
court in conclusion, leaves this court with his
name and his honor untarnished, and nothing
whatever has been proved against Prince Philip
zu Euienburg. No fine would sufficiently pun
ish Harden for his offence. and must there
fore sentence him to Imprisonment. But In
will send him to prison for only four months
It is understood that Harden has entered an
appeal.
At the morning session Of the court Harden
was heard in his own defence. He said he was
convinced that ring had been formed around
the Emperor which he was determined 10 en-
deavor to break. If his articles had accom-
plished this result he glad but if in his
writings he had Ibelled Molthe all he could
say was that he had never intended 10 do so. I
never meant to libel the count Harden con-
tinued, and nobody knowing me could imagine
that I would deliberately defame any one
Everybody is aware that I was working purely
from political motives. If. however, owing 70
the peculiarities of my style this tribuna! con-
siders that I should be punished, then am
prepared to undergo imprisonment but II VIII
be with the conviction that / do not deserve
this punishment"
MaxfniIien Harden. editor of Die Zukunft" took
the ground some time ago. after conversations with
Frau Won Elbe. divorced wife Of Count kuno Won
Moltse; DR.. Schweninger, who was physician 10
the late Prince Won Bismarck; Princess Charlotte
of Sake Meinngen eldest sister of Emperor VIII
lam and others that the Emperor was surrounded
by a camariIla which exerted great ana lnJurl-
Gus influence his decisions in political matters
and that the members of this group, particularly
Prince Philip zu Eulenburg, who was at one time
German Ambassador at Vienna; General Count
Kuno Won Moltke who formerly Military Gov
ernor of Berlin, and General Count Wilhelm Won
Hohenau former commander Of the Guard CORPS
were men Of abnormally vicious tendencies and
ractices In effort. according to his own state
rnents TO break up this ring for the good OF the
country Harden began TO publish series OF ar
ticles in his magazine The publcauon OF lheSe
charges excited the greater interest throughout
Germany and in Europe because Of the high station
Of the persons accused and Of the amazing scandal
involved Count Won Moltke brought suit against
Harden for defamation of character The nearing
of this suit began October 90 Witnesses 1or
both sides were heard in open court, and vast
amount of offensive matter was spread before
newspaper readers Of all classes. Won Moltke de-
MED all the charges. Previous 10 the suit he had
challenged Harden to duel. but Harden refused
to fight. Nearly fifty witnesses We're subp@naed'
including Prince Won Buow, the Imperial Chancel-
lor The trial resulted in the acquittal of Harden.
and Won Moltke was condemned to bear the costs
This vfndication of Harden was soon followed by
the announcement that he was 10 be tried on lfle
charge of criminal libel by the public prosecutor Of
the First Provincial Court. This the trial that
has inst come to an end The case was heard be-
fore a bench of five judges. Some of the hearings
were secret It being desired TO avoid repetition Of
the previous publicity. Some of the persons who
testified one way the first trial reversed them
selves at the second hearing. and the decision
AGAINST Harden does not come as a surprise
among others Frau Elbe retracted what she
had said before.
Harden is a Jew OF fOliSu eAtIdCtlOh MS iSSiI
name is Max Witskowski The statement has been
made that racial antipathy entered into the bring
ing of the second suit against him
II was recently reported that Prince Eulen-
t;rg had decided also to bring a libel charge
against Harden. and he may have to stand trial on
this count
With regard Count Won Hohenau. Emperor
William has ordered his trial before military
court OF honor The exact charges which this
proceeding will be taken have not been formulated,
but in general they because Of the counts con-
---..i., Lii, III. Earderl-Nnn MnItke suits and