Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-10-28
TWO CONVICTED
RECRUITING men
FOR WAR IN u s.
Blair and Adds f ~ ~ Of
Conspiracy bv ,CS,er In
struct Fran
tyeN sourt.
MONEY FURNISHED BY BRITISH
Stipulation of Facts Admits that
Ross, Consul for Great Britain,
Provides Cash.
DEFENDANTS TO TAKE APPEAL

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, oct. az
Ralph X. Blair and Thomas Adds
were found guilty today of conspir-
ing to hire and retain men In the
United States for British military
service. The verdict was returned
under instructions from Judge Mau-
rice T. Dooling, in the United States
district court. c. e. Lawrence was
found not guilty. The cases against
Lieutenant Kenneth Croft OF the
British army and Harry G. Lane
were not considered, one way or the
/ other. The state wanted them for
witnesses.
The Blair-Murdock company also
was found not guilty. Stipulations
were filed by prosecution and de-
fense that an instructed verdict
should be given. A jury was impan-
elled as a matter of legal procedure.
Counsel for the defense stated an ap-
peal would be taken.
1t was reported that the British con-
sulate, which was represented in court
during the trial, urged such a course.
Judge Dooling's findings conformed
with the action of John w. Preston. who
did not press the cases against Croft and
Lane, whom, he said, he considered
merely as tools" Mr.. Preston stated
in court that he considered DR.. Adds
and Blair the ringleaders.''
The penalty for the offense is imprison-
ment for not more than two years or a
fine Of not more than $4,000. or both.
Recruits Arrested in ChioaEo.
The neutrality cases came into promi-
nence when nineteen men bound for Eng
land were stopped In Chicago and New
York and brought back here. The de-
fendants admitted that they had provided
these men with money. which, the gov
ernment attorneys asserted In court
came from British official sources. but
maintained they merely used 1t to send
men to England without any agreement
as to fightlnse----------.
The stipulation filed with Judge Dool-
ing. admitted funds for recruiting men
were furnished by A. Carnegie Ross, Brit
ish consul here; that 155 men were re-
cruited; that headquarters were main
tanned where the men were housed and
fed; that transportation and ss.1O each
for sustenance on their Journey were
furnished the men; and that the men
were to be transported to England
AIny Abolish Law.
WARRINGTON. Oct. 27.-Convictions
under the old statute making II a crime
of conspiracy to employ men on Ameri-
can soil for military service abroad is
regarded by State department officials as
likely to bring to an issue the question
ow whether the United States shall, per-
NIT to remain in effect law based
upon a policy which might operate to
its own serious disadvantage In time Of
war. The statute under which Blair
and Adds were convicted at San Fran
cisco does not affect the activities nf
representatives of foreign power. who
arrange for the return OF reservists, but
imposes heavy penalties upon the agents
of a nation undertaking to send Dack
home for service citizens or subjects
who not on military rolls.
Embassy officials have conferred with
the Department of Justice on the subject
and 1t is understood that at the en-
bassy instances the cases will be OPP
pealed and that II the result Is then n
changed the matter will be taken up
automatically between Great Britain and
the United States.