Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-02
JUDGE WILFLEYS. DEFENSE
BELIEVES HIM
GUILTLESS OF CHARGES.
Review Of Conditions in Shanghai
by Secretary Root, Who Concludes
Judge Deserves Commendation. 4

President Koosevelt's defense of Leb-
beus r. Wilfley. based on an analytical
review by Secretary Root of the charges
against him. was made public today. The
charges were preferred by Lorrin An
drews. and have been repeated by him
before the House committee on the judici-
ary as the basis of impeachment proceed
ngs. They relate to Judge Wilf1ey's ad-
ministration of the United States court
for China at Shanghai.
After disposing of each of the seven
charges by showing that neither of them
Is the proper basis Of criticism against
Judge Whitley Secretary Root review:
conditions in the foreign quarter of
Shanghai showing that because of tho
heretofore lax American administration
of Justice there affairs had grown dis
graceful. Judge Wlfey was sent there
for the express purpose of reversing the
conditions. Secretary Root concludes:
The circumstances thus presented ex-
hibit motive for the attempt to drive
Judge Wilfley from his position They
present strong probability of mijudg-
ment, exaggeration and distortion of facts
on the part Of the lawyers who have per-
sonallv suffered from the changed condi-
tions They make it clear that upon no
triflng grounds should our government
incur the public misfortune which would
be involved in tting the stamp Of dis
approval the work for decency and
righteousness that the United States
court for China has done.
Entitled to Commendation.
MY opinion is that Judge Wilf1ey is en-
titled. not to condemnation, bat to COM
mendation and high credit for his con-
duct in office and that the charges against
him should be dismissed"
President Roosevelt's vindication is con-
tanned in a letter to Secretary Root. He
first comments that it appears that Rep
resentative Waldo of New York stands
sponsor for the charges. II cordially con-
cur in your finding he continues, (which
is to the effect that Judge Wilfey is not
only innocent, but is attacked solely be-
cause of the fearlessness and integrity
with which he has stamped out vice and
crime in Shanghai.
1T is clear that Judge Wilfley has been
attacked not because he has done evil. but
because he has done good. The assault
on him is simply an impeachment of de-
cency and zeal for the public good and
If successful would tend to cow and dis
courage every honest public servant who
dares to withstand the forces banded to-
gether for evil and would do grave dam
age to the honor and interest Of our cOun-
try in the orient If the attack were to
succeed the beneiciaries would be every
keeper of a house of prostitution, every
swindling lawyer, every man who lives
by blackmail and corruption in the cities
of the far east. These are the people
whose hopes have been revived by the eff
fort to overthrow this upright and fear
less judge who has already done so much
for the good fame of America in China
1t is not too much to say that this assault
on Judge Wilfley in the interest of the
vicious and criminal classes Is a public
scandal.
Will Not influence House Committee
President Roosevelt's letter to the House
committee on the judiciary. exoneratinS
Judge l.. R. Wilfley, whose conduct as
judge of the United States court at
Shanghai. China, was recently made the
basis of possible Impeachment proceed
| ings. will not influence the committee
which is now considering the matter. A
subcommittee Of the judiciary committee
Is now holding hearings in the case.
Lorin s. Andrews. one of Judge Will
fey's accusers. was before the subcom-
mittee most of last week, and at a hear
| ing today Judge Wilfley started to cross
examine Mr. Andrews.
In discussing the Presidents letter in
| the Wiley case, Representative Webb of
North Carolina, member Of the subcom-
mittee, said:
I'VE have a duty to perform in this
matter as well as the President Speak
! ing for myself alone l do not believe the
committee will make any change in the
program decided upon when it arranged
| to make an investigation of Judge Will.
6ey's administration of the United States
court at Shanghai
| Representatives. Moon of Pennsylvania,
| Diekema of Michigan and Webb Of North
Carolina compose the subcommittee hav
/ ing the Wilf1ey case under consideration.