Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-30
SEEKS TOENJO|N
EXPORT OF SHELLS
Complainant In Legal Proceed
ings Charges Violation Of the
Neutrality Laws.
ALLEGES CONSPIRACY
FOR SALE, OF SHRAPNEL
Allis Chalmers Company and Beth
lehem Steel Company Among De-
PENDANTS in Wisconsin Court.

Mu.wAUKEE, wis. April ga
,omplaint has been filed under the so
allied discovery" statute Of Wiscon-
SIN to obtain information to determine
whether tho Allis Chalmers Company.
p corporation: Otto Falk. its president,
and others have entered into a con-
spiracy with the Bethlehem Steel Com
pany and others not yet known to
manufacture and ship shrapnel shells
10 European helligerents. contrary to
the Wisconsin law. An injunction suit
may follow.
The action. service in which was Sc
cured last night. calls for the appear
ance OF Mr.. F'alk and the other defend
ants before the circuit court commits
sloner in Milwaukee May for prelinai-
nary action before pleading provided
by tho discovery statute proceedings.
Allegations of Complainant
The complaint was filed by Samuel
Pearson. who declares he is citizen
of the United States and that he has
valuable property interests located
within the boundaries OF the German
empire: that he is owner of securities
issued by the German government, and
that the German government is and
for some time past has been engaged
in war with Great Britain, France. Ser
bia. Montenegro. Russia and Japan.
On information and belief Pearson
AYERS that the defendants, prior to the
war, were engaged in the manufacture
of peaceful instruments Of art and in
dustry. and that the manufacture OF
shrapnel was engaged in only after the
war started. and Is to continue only
during the actual duration of the war.
The complaint sets forth that it is the
belief that the defendants have entered
into an unlawful conspiracy with the
Bethlehem Steel Company and others
and that sucn a conspiracy indicated
is made a criminal onense under the
laws of Wisconsin, the penalties for
which are defined in the Wisconsin
statutes.
Purpose Of the Inquiry.
The examination OF the defendants
under the discovery statute is for the
purpose of ascertaining the names of
each person or corporation with which
the defendants may have contracted for
the manufacture of shrapnel shells or
similar munitions; the intent and ma
ture of such contracts. and the names
of any consignees to whom such NUM-
lions may have been shipped
The complaint states that one type OF
ammunition indispensable to the bel
shrapnel shell, designed but for one pur-
pose, the destruction Of human life and
property. and that the intent of the war
now being conducted by the several coun-
tries named against the German empire
is so to- cripple the said empire by the
destruction of the lives of it's citizens and
of its property, both public and private,
to compel the submission Of Germany
to the future disposition of its national
domain, or to the surrender of its SOW
ereign life, as the allies may dispose, IL
victorious.
Mentions Neutrality Proclamation.
Mention of President Wilson'S neutrality
proclamation is made, and certain federal
statutes are cited, violations OF which, it
is commended, constitute breaches Of neu-
trality. and submit the offender to criminal
prosecution for high crimes and mis-
temeanors."
According to the complaint, the dura-
ton Of the war would be materially short
ened and the operations resulting in
wholesale bloodshed and taking of life
and vast destruction of property would be
curtailed If arms and ammunition were
withheld by the United States from either
Of the belligerents.