The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-07-24
AMERICAN HELD IN
A FRENCH PRISON
WITHOUT TRIAL
cHAs. Won MnETIcH, OF PHiLA.
r DElPHIA, JAILED WHILE Has
FAMILY is sTARvINo-HELp ON
CURIOUS CHARGE.
BY VANCE THOMPSON.

PARIS. July 24.-Charles Won Mile
itch, an American citizen OF Philadel
phia. has been lying in a French jail
for 90 days on what he declares Is
"trumped-up" charge OF larceny. due
TO the animosity of his father-in-law
and In spite OF all the efforts of the
American consul TO secure his release
or speedy trial.
In April last Miletich passed a civ
IL servica examination in Washington
for the position OF translator and
brought his wife and their two chill
dren abroad for a vacation. His pass
port is dated April 27. He first visited
his wife's father. Laurent Noulez, in
Belgium, and there, after few days.
his wife's little sister, Augustine. aged
IA complained To him that her father
had ill-treated her. Indignant at
this. Miletich refused TO remain In
the house and, with his wife and ba
bies, crossed the frontier 10 Lille, in
France.
Calls Him an Accomplish.
Two days later Augustine appeared
at their hotel, saying she had run
away from home. Miletich agreed TO
take care OF her. but that afternoon
the police arrested the child. as She
had stolen two hundred dollars from
her father.
After being put through the third
degree Augustine signed a statement
that Miletich was an accomplice in the
theft He was arrested and his lug
gage seized together with all the
money found on him. Augustine and
the stolen money were sent back 10
Father-in-law Noulez. as under the
French law a child cannot steal from
Its parents. Miletich finally managed
TO get word TO Consul King, OF Lille,
who is using every effort 10 secure a
prompt trial King telegraphed TO the
American correspondent that the
actual charge is based on Bel
gian extradition warrant OF completely
in Augustine's so-called theft from her
father. which is not punishable either
in France or Belgium, while the Sis
ter-in-law has since admitted before
the American consul that Mileuch was
wholly innocent OF aiding her in her
escapade.
Consul King interposed locally. but
without effect. and notified Ambassa-
dor White. who questioned the foreign
office, but meanwhile nothing was
done.
Prisoner is incommunlcado.
II secured permission to visit Mile
itch on Friday" Consul King tele-
graphed, but | was not permitted TO
talk with him in English. He feels
abandoned and on July ! tried to p
himself upon learning that his wife
and two small children were sick and
penniless here in Lille. Such delay
is not for the honor OF American pro-
lection TO citizens abroad hope you
will entreat the embassy to exact i'm
mediate liberty and arrange for dam
ages later"
AT the American embassy in Paris
it was said that French justice would
have 10 follow its orderly course. even
though Augustine had retracted her
statement that Miletich was her ac-
complete. International lawyers say
the arrest Is an outrage. as. even II
guilty OF the offense charged, Miletich
has committed no crime punishable
by the laws OF either France or Bel
GUM, and they believe he will have a
good case for heavy damages. Consul
King. whose sympathies have Deen
greatly tJuched, Is providing food,
shelter and medicine for the stricken
family out of his own pocket Their
trunks are still in the hands OF the
police