The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1908-03-03
JUST AND FEARLESS |:
President Praises Judge Whitley Of
American Court in China.
NO GROUNDS FOR CHARGES
Executive Declares That If Jurist Is
Impeached the Beneficiaries Will Be
the Prostitutes, swindIers and
BIackmaiIers Of the Far East.

Washington, March 3.-President s.
Roosevelt's defense of Lebbeus Will
fey, based on an analytical review by
Secretary Root of the charges against
him, has been made public. The
charges were preferred by Lorrin An.
dreWs and have been repeated by him
before the house committee on judic-
iary as the basis of impeachment pro-
ceedings They relate to Judge Will
fey's administration 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
reviews conditions in the foreign
quarter of Shanghai, showing that be-
cause of the heretofore lax American
administration of justice there affairs
had grown disgraceful. Judge Whitley
was sent there for the express pur
pose of reversing these conditions.
OSCIetdiy hOOL COuCludeS.
The circumstances thus presented
exhibit motive for the attempt to
drive Judge Whitley from his position.
They present strong probability of
misjudgment, exaggeration and dis.
tortion Of facts On the part of the law.
yers who have personally suffered
from the changed conditions. They
make it clear that upon no trifing
grounds should our government incur
the public misfortune which would be
involved in putting the stamp of dis
approval on the work for decency and
righteousness that the United States
court for China has done
"My opinion is that Judge Wilfey
is entitled, not to condemnation, but
to commentator and high credit for
his conduct in office and that the
charges against him should be dis
missed"
President Concurs in Finding.
President Roosevelt's vindication is
contained in a letter to Secretary
Root. He first comments that it ap-
pears that Congressman Waldo of
New York stands sponsor for the
charges.
81 certainly concur in your finding" :"
he continues, (which is to the effect
that Judge Wilhey is not only inno-
cent, but is attacked solely because Of
the fearlessness and integrity with
which he has stamped out vice and
crime in Shanghai.
ut is clear that Judge Whitley has
been attacked, not because he has
done evil, but because he has done
good. The assault on him is simply
an Impeachment of decency and zeal
for the public good and if successful
would tend to COW every honest public
servant who dared to withstand the
forces banded together for evil and
would do grave damage to the honor
and integrity Of our country in the
Orient. If the attack were to succeed
the benefciaries would be every keep
er of 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 re-
vived by the effort to overthrow this
upright and fearless judge, who has
already done so much for the good of
the name of America in China. 1t is
not too much to say that this assault
on Judge Whitley in the interest of the
vicious and criminal classes is a pub
lie scandal"