The Washington herald., 1909-01-22

President Roosevelt IS not ready 20
disclose the precise nature OF the grand
jury proceedings Instituted this week in
New York and Washington.
There is no secret Of the fact that the
proceedings are directed against persons
who published articles in regard to the
transfer OF the Panama Canal franchise
to the United States As soon as this
became known Attorney General Bona
parte let It be known that within three
OF four days he would make a state
ment to the public OF what the govern
ment is trying 10 do
Mr.. Bonaparte called at the White
House yesterday and had a long con-
ference with the President After COM
ing from the Presidents Office he said
that certain circumstances had made Il
impracticabIe 10 make a public statement
in regard 10 the grand jury matters.
1T looks now" he said. AS il We
might not be ready 70 make a statement
for some days. perhaps not until nsxt
week"
Cartoons LIbeIOus.
81 LtliA4o aAaeENl 10 ht AHJElOMH are 10
be produced before the Federal grand jury
here in the way OF evidence upon which
TO base an indictment for criminal libel
against persons connected with the New
York World and the Indianapolis News
This Is new proceeding. L recalls the
efforts made in State legislatures TO bring
the publication Of cartoons and carica-
libels
These alleged Iibelous cartoons related
10 the stories printed in the World and
commented on IN the News TO the effect
that a questionable private deal. IN which
some prominent Americans figured. had
been involved in the sale Of the Panama
Canal properties 70 the United States
government President Roosevelt. il was
said yesterday, was depicted in these
cartoons.
The government is baslng It's case
against the Indianapolis News on articles
which appeared in that newspaper on
October 10, Z, -, p. and 3 All Of these
issues contained cartoons which the gov
eminent. il IS reported. contends were
criminally IbeloUs. The files OF the World
from September until after the Presi-
dents election have been placed in evi-
dence before the grand jury.
To Go Before Grand Jury.
To complete the record Of its contention
that there ives no warrant for the re-
ports Of an alleged questionable Panama
Canal deal the supreme Court OF the
District q Columbia has directed Elihu
Root, the Secretary Of State. Philander
c. Knox. Senator from Pennsylvania. and
Charles W Russell. Assistant Attorney
General 20 appear before the grand Jury
to-day. When the negotiations for the
sale Of the Panama Canal properties were
in progress. Mr.. Root vas Secretary OF
War. Mr.. Knox was Attorney General.
and Mr.. Russell performed much Of the
detail work in the matter
President Roosevelt declared in a special
message to Congress that the stories Of a
questionable Ceal were utterly without
foundation. and Mr.. Root. Nj Knox. and
Ar. Russell are 10 be examined with s
view 10 proving that such was the case
William Nelson Cromwell. Of New York.
counsel for the Panama Canal Company
OF France. has not been summoned TO ap-
pear before the grand jury. he was one
OF the persons named in the World pub
locations as a supposed participant in the
alleged questionable deal. Whether he viii
be summoned is not disclosed.
The grand jury was not in session yes