Evening star., 1909-02-18
for the District was called TO articles in

| for the District was called to articles in
the New York World and Indianapolis
News alleging, in substance. that the
money paid by the United States for the
Panama canal had been received by an
American syndicate, which. profiting by
private information as to the govern
ment's intention. had purchased. at jan
enormous discount the rights of the
French owners of the canal. and thus re-
Gus tranSa ctiOn.
Several persons were mentioned by
name as connected with it. some being
public officers and others private citizens.
\ careful inquiry having satisfied the
proper officers that there was no founda-
ton for these charges. the United States
attorney, with the approval of the At
torney General. submitted the evidence to
the grand jury of the Disskict of Column
bia. and that body, after a prolonged
and thorough investigation. has returned
indictments against several individuals
and certain corporation for criminal
libel in publishing the articles in quest ion
These articles were written and print
ed without the limits Of the District but
published by circulation aud distribution
within the National capital. If the de
PENDANTS can establish the truth of what
they have thus published this will be IA
complete defense of the present case If
they cannot. the above quoted language
of Chief Judge McSherry seems emine,u-
ly appropriate to their conduct
World Men Awaiting Next Move.
NEW YORK. February 1S-CounseI for
the publisher and editors of the New
York World. who were indicted by "A fed
eral grand jury in Washington yesterday
on charges of criminal libel in the Pana-
ma canal case. were today awaiting the
next move of the federal authorities before
Il
John ID. Lindsay of counsel for the
World said today that copies of the in
dictments against Joseph Pulitzer propri-
etor of the World: Caleb NJ Van Hamm
and Robert II. Lyman. editors. the three
New York men indicted had not vet been
received by their counsel. and no official
notification Of the indictments had SO
far come from Washington. Mr. Pulitzer.
who has been cruising in southern waters
on his yacht Liberty, is expected to reach
here today.
So far could be ascertained no steps
have as yet been taken by the federal
authorities in this city to bring the ac-
cused before United States commits
whether they shall be compelled to appear
before the federal courts in Washing ton
Sensation in Indianapolis.
INDIANAPOLIS. February 1s.-The an
nouncement from Washington yesterday
| tIldt DeldSdn STnttn ana (ndrleS VILLA
owners Of the Indianapolis News, had
been indicted for libel by the federal
grand jury, in connection with the Pana-
ma canal controversy. created something
of sensation in club circles and about
the hotels here.
Comment was caused by the fact that
the indictments charge that the President
was libeled, and efforts were made to find
on what particular utterance or utterances
this could be based, but the search was
in vain.
In the discussion of the Panama canal
deal, it is claimed, the News never at any
time made direct charges or seemed to
it's editors to intimate that any of the per-
sons whom the editors are charged with
libeliuS got any part of the money.
No names were mentioned, it Is contend
ed, but a demand was made and many
times insisted upon, that there should be
a congressional investigation ordered thai
the matter might be cleared up and goy
sip stopped.