Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-13
JAP DENOUNCES WAR TALK
Count Midsuno Says JingOists Do Not
Represent Sentiment.
BOTH NATIONS AFFLICTED ALIKE
People Of Japan Desire to Continue
Traditional Friendly Relations
with America-Corpora-
tions and Libel Law.

NEW YORK, Feb. 12.-Count Kokichi
Midsuno. consul general OF Japan. at New
York, was warmly applauded at the ban
quet Of the Silk Association OF America
in commemorative of the associations
thlrty-seventh anniversary. when he de-
nounced as unrepresentative OF the senti-
ment either OF the United States or Japan
all the war talk and jingoistic expressions
recently heard.
War" said he, 'is a question OF life
and death for a nation. The destiny and
fate OF a nation, are of too grave moment
to be risked at the behest of a few ambiti-
Gus politicians and professional alarmists.
l do not doubt, even for a moment that the
present anti-Japanese agitation does not
represent the true sentiment of the great
American people. 1 do not deny that there
are tingolstic papers in japan, Just as you
have In this country. But. depend upon II,
in the true hearts OF the true sons and
daughters of the island Of the Rising Sun,
the sincere desire for peaceful relations
with all the powers. and especially with
our traditional friendships the Americans
are paramount"
Count Raba Massiglia. Italian consul gem
ersl at New York and John w. GrlEgs,
former governor of, New Jersey. and ex-
attorney general OF the United States fol-
lowed Count Midsuno.
Corporations and Libel Law.
Decision was reserved by Justice Gerard.
In the supreme court today after he had
heard arguments upon a writ OF habeas
corpus obtained by counsel for Samuel
5. Carvalho, Bradford Merrill and Edward
clark the officers OF the Star company,
publishers of the New York American, in
the prosecution for criminal libel instituted
by John ID. Rockefeller, jr.
IL was commended that the defendants, as
offlcers OF the corporation. could not be
lesally held as responsible parties for the
alleged libel In any criminal effect 1t might
have. Justice Gerard said ,he considered
that criminal intent or actual participation
must be proved, and that uniecs it be held
that the mere publication Of a newspaper
was criminal the contention that actual
specific intent need not be proved would
hardly hold good.
While the argument was proceeding in
Justice Gerard's court Justice Bowling was
passing upon another feature of the case.
He handed down a decision that a corpora
ton can commit the crime of libel within
the meaning OF the law and overruled a
demurrer TO an Indictment charging libel
against the Star company.
Charles Warner Kills Himself.
Charles Warner, aged So years, a well
known English actor, committed suicide
here tonight by hanging. He had been act
ing strangely for several months.
A rambling note was left in which he
laid the motive for his act OF self de-
struction to the persecution OF thieves,
liars and blaokmailers,' who he declared
had mulcted him out Of thousands and
thousands;
Warner achieved prominence In England
several years ago through his Interpretation
OF the character of a drunkard In the play
called Drink" based on Zola's novel,
Mana" This play, which ran for 1000 con-
~secutive nights revealed Warner as a real
istic actor of the first rank. His portrayal
OF the last stages OF delirium tremens
has made the theme for numberless SER
mons in pulpits in every part OF Great Brit
ain, the horrible effects of drink depicted
frightful object lesson. Recently Warner
went into vaudeville, achieving success in
a ske'ch called AT the Telephone"
Evidence Against Sugar Trust. =
Richard Parr, the governments special
treasury agent, and its principal witness
in the six suits against the American Sugar
Refining company, on trial here, was sub
Jected TO a severe cross-examination today.
w. 8. Engert, a government sugar samp-
Ter, and United States Assistant Weigher
Japha, both Of whom were at work on the