Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-02-01
New York District Attorney
Told to Go as Far as He
Likes in Libel Case Against
World.
FEDERAL SUIT WILL
ALSO BE PUSHED
Protection Of Good Name of
Ex-Cabinet Officer Now
Seems to Be Object of Pro-
ceedingS Before Grand Jury.
lBy Morning Journal speciai Leased wireI

lBy Morning Journal specIai Leased wircI
New York, Jan. 3t.-united States
District Attorney Henry l.. Slim
son made public letter tonight in
reply to one written by District At
torney Jerome on the subject of
bringing action for criminal libel in
the United States court against the
publishers of the New York World
because of published charges regard
ing the Panama canal purchases.
Mr. Stimson tells Mr.. Jerome to go
ahead.
Mr. Jerome had asked If action in
the state courts on behalf of Douglas
Robinson, the presidents brother-in-
law, would be an unwise interference
with the actions brought under fed
eral jurisdiction.
Mr.. Stimson answers this question
negatively, but he does not state that
the federal Inquiries or prosecutions
VII ~cease If Mr. Jerome begins an
actor
1t is Aapparent that while the fed
eral j&uthorities concede to Mr.. Je-
rome the right to appear as the pro-
tector of Douglas Robinson's good
name they reserve the privilege to
themselves of acting in defense OF the
aputation vi a gentleman vino oe.
cupied the position at the head of the
war department" in any federal jur-
isdieton where the case applies.
The reference to the gentleman who
occupied the position Of head of the
war department gave rise in some
quarters to speculation as to the per-
son meant by Mr. Stimson. An offic-
ial of the government who declined
to permit the use of his name said the
statement was intended to refer to
Elihu Root who was secretary of war
when the negotiations for the pur-
chase of the Panama canal property |
were concluded, though the deeds of |
the property were actually turned !
over to this country when William ii. |
Taft was secretary.
Mr. Stimson's letter says: Il
Dear Sir:-I have received your
letter of January 26. The series of |
publications in the New York World |
to which you refer, have for some |
time been under my consideration.
Your letter makes clear the Of
Tense against the laws of New York |
the reputation of Mr. Robinson. The
circulation of similar charges Of per-
sonal corruption or dishonor against |
gentleman who occupied the posi-
tion OF head of the war department,
among the officers and men of the
army resident upon tie military res
ervations in my district or among the
residents of the District of Columbia,
whore the war department is situated,
may well engage the attention of the
officials whose duty it is to enforce
the law in those localities.
In answer. therefore, to your in
quiry as to whether prosecution on
your part as to the alleged libel upon
Mr.. Robinson would be regarded as
an unwise interference with a mat
ter over which the federal courts have
jurisdiction, and in which action has
already been takeR by the federal au-
thorities, | beg to assure you that
such action on your part will in no
wise be regarded as such an inter
ference. but. on the contrary, we
shall regard it as our duty to CO.
operate with you in all proper and
lawful ways.
In all these several jurisdictions
the truth of the alleged libels would
IN the present case constitute COM
plete defense to the prosecution.
Should such a defense be attempted,
it is manifestly of the utmost i'm
portance that this question as to the
truth or falsity of the publications
should be presented to the court in
the light of the fullest possible evil
dence and be settled for all time be-
,ond the possibility of a doubt.
Very respectfully yours,
HENRY L. STIMSON,
..T-uf.ad states Attorney -