The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-17
TWO WOMEN HEARD
IN AFFIDAVIT CASE
Mrs. Josephine Weir and Her
Daughter Appear as Lusi-
tania Witnesses.
HARDENBERG IN THE CITY

Five witnesses testified yesterday be-
fore the Federal Grand Jury which IL
investigating the alleged conspiracy to
defraud the United States through the
obtaining of afndavits that the liner
Lus.,ania was armed when she sailed
from New York on her last voyage. They
were Mrs. Josephine Weir OF 1872 West
sixteenth street and her daughter. Ger
trude. Adolph Mittlacher. once n room
mate OF Gustav Stahl, the German reser-
visit who is under arrest charged with
perjury, md two OF Collector Malone's
neutrality squad" Of inspectors.
Mrs. Weir Is believed to have repeated
the Information given in an affidavit re-
Gently. which was 70 the effect that she
heard Neal Leach, a teward On the
Lusitania. who lost his life when the ves-
SCI went down, say before the ships de-
parture that the vessel carried four
guns. The inspectors told OF their
search OF the ship. In which they did
not find any guns.
The Grand Jury adjourned early.
much TO the disappointment OF the Fed
eral officials, and Roger u. Wood. as
sistant United States District Attorney.
in charge of the case. was doubtful last
night whether the investigation would no
finished this week.
one of to-day's witnesses. IL is en-.
pected. will he Daniel Jenny. n former
| associate of Stahl. lie will be aues-
toned as to the reservist's movements
at the time he says he went aboard the
Lusitania with Leach and saw guns
there. Several inspectors OF Collector
Malone's squad will testify also. Mr..
Malone himself will not he a witness in
the present proceedings. II was said yes
terday.
II IL probable that later in the week
the notary before whom Mrs. Weir made
her affdavit will he examined. His
identity has not been made public.
job b Stanchfeld. who has been re-
taiued to defend Paul Koenig. chief secret
service assent Of the Neutrality-suspicious.
Line. came home yesterday from Albany.
! where he has been serving as a de'cLhtc
to the constitutional convention. He
had no statement to make In regard -
Koenig.
Capt. William Orley, chief 81 the local
bureau Of Investigation OF the Depart
ment OF Justice. made light yesterday OF
the reported disappearance Of Heinz
ittIutllptr-' the herman secret dEef'
VIII was said to have given informant VI
OF value to the Government in the S.shI
case. Hardenberg was reported TO have
disapp,'r red after he had lift Washing.
ton ostensibly for New YORK. on Mon
day.
I'VE are not at all certain that ",
want Hardenberg as a witness SAT-
Capt. Onley. but IL We do decide to cal
him ! am certain that We can fird hin
| know that he was In New York yes
terday. although he did not cal, nj an,
OF the Federal Offices. Whether he be
came confused or lost his enthusiasm I,
testify | do not know.
In any event he was purely a volun
tary witness and is not in any sense
fugitive. lie told his story first TO
Federal officer and on this Ulcers ad
vice proceeded 10 Washin ton. where n
conferred with \. Bruce 6ielaSki, chic
OF the bureau OF !nveS, lyatitn Of m
Department of Justice. Nj. B.clisk
suggested that he come nee, but liar
denberg was under no obligation to d,
SO unless he so desired | have not in
vesticated his story md do rot know
whether IT is OF value.
The Indictment OF Gus.ly Stahl a
least AS a result OF the present Gran,
Jury proceedings Is believed to te as
surcd. This result, II Is thong -. is eN
pccted by Stahl's attorney. Haroli $
Dcming. The efcr: TO opt1iu bail 10
the accused reser,ist has been alan
/ ,l.T,l