The Washington times., 1913-08-19
THAW WOULD BE
SAFE IN ENGLAND
Could Be Exraded in France-FugNe Criminal in Russia
Expulsion PossibIe-ItaB Would Send Him
Back Says Justice.

LONDON. Aug. 19.-Harry Thaw will
be perfectly safe from extradition
should he land in Great Britain, in
the opinion of several legal authori-
ties.
They think there is no law under
which he can be arrested here for
running away, considering all the cir
cumstances. although he might be
taken into custody on a distinct COM
plaint that he is likely, while at large,
to prove dangerous to his family or
others.
''Thaw is not a convicted criminal"
said Stanley Passmore. of the law firm
of Langton & Passmore. He was ac-
quilted of murder on the ground of
insanity. Thus there is nothing on
which to base a demand for extradi-
tion. His commitment to the Mattea-
wan Asylum and his escape do not
furnish in themselves adequate ground
for his arrest here.
IF he were to come to this country
and his wife were here, however, and
if she believed him insane and danger
Gus to himself or others, she might get
two doctors to certify to his insanity.
and a magistrate would commit him
to an asylum.
I'm such a proceeding the doctors
must of course examine him. l don't
see how they could do 1t If he chose
to live on board yacht. Afioat or On
shore he would probably provide
guards for himself, and examina ton
would be practicable only by trick.
TT is very doubtful If two reputable
alienists could be found to undertake
such work. So long as he conducted
himself peaceably here he would prob
ably be safe from molestation."
Others Agree.
Other lawyers gave substantially the
same opinion as to Thaw's immunity
in Great Britain. The escape has
caused a sensation here as big as IL
it were a local affair. All the news |
papers are making it their leading fea-
ture and are printing every item con-
cerning il they can get.
Newspaper and legal comments lay |
stress on the defects in the American |
law which gave Thaw his OPP )rtunfry. |
Here he would have been committed to |
a criminal lunatic asylum for life and |
ileges' which made escape easy. Luna
tics sent to Broadmoor for capital Of
fenses never get away.
Although expert opinion regards him
as technically non-eXtraditable for the
escape and holds that he would be safe
while acting sanely here, II IS consid-
cred unlikely that he would really enjoy
his freedom. Aside from his shooting L
of Stanford White, the disclosures OF
his character and practices have barred
him from reputable association. His
life here would thus be solitary or such
as to bring him under the watch OF
the authorities
PARIS. Aug. 1a-WIth one exception
the American lawyers with offices here
who are now In the city think Thaw
could be extradited II he were to seek
refuge in France and the American
were to ask that be be sent
back. The lawyer who thinks other ]
wise, a member Of one OF the most !
prominent firms. saws extradition would
not he possible because the United
States will never make such an appli-
cation.
Not Fugitive. 4
'"Thaw is not a fugitive from justice.
Dut merely an escaped lunatic. this
av-ver said. There have been cases
n which the French government has /
;iven over Iunatics to the care of their !
'am!lies If Thaw were to become a
nuisance here on account of insanity
he government would hand him oyer
O his mother. on her request. Other
wise he would be undisturbed by the !
authorities.
The French have ever been tolerant
,r crimes based on the passion OF jeal- :
,usv. If a Thaw investigation were =
,osSihIe here the courts would no doubt ,
lold that the insanity plea was piece
f Yankee bluff to save man with I
million dollars from the electric chair. !
Ie would he permitted to remain at :
arge and the courts would give him
4, further attention unless ne were to
ct insarely So long as his movements :
nd conduct here were orderly no court .
would regard him or treat him as
riminal."