The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-05
Is Home from Eng Hand Re-
suitof Pleas Made by
the Colonel.

trast between the way this case was
tried by the British government and
the action OF the German military ati-
thofities in the Cayell case.
Young Triest, who had enlisted In
the British navy, was charged with
espionage, an offense punishable with
death. he, might not have been able
to successfully maintain before the
naval court martial the defense Of in-,
sanity. Approaching this, l, as his
fathers counsel and friend. felt JUS
titled in bringing to his aid whatever
influence could be secured.
Says 4. r. Saved Boys Life.
Several people OF prominence gave
us generous aid. We have. been par
ticularly indebted to Sir Cecil Spring
Rice, the British ambassador and Cap
tain Guy Gaunt, the British naval at
tache, for their sympathy, considers
ton and assistance.
"That, however. which really,
brought about the result, In fact, saved
this boys life, was the intercession
of Mr.. Roosevelt. appealed to him.
He responded with characteristic In
.terest, force and directness, writing In
his own hand to the British ambassa-
dor q statement Of the case as he saw
1T and expressing his judgment Of the
course which might be followed by the
British government In the matter.
This letter was sent by the arnbas-
sador to Arthur ]. Balfour, the present
first lord OF the admiralty, and Sir
Edward Grey, the foreign secretary,
together, with / believe, Q strong
letter from the ambassador himself
indorsing Mr.. Rooseyelt's views.
Mr.. Roosevelt has consented to per-
NIT me to publish the following LETT
ter, dated November S, which he sent
me after we were informed Of the de-
cisfon in the case:
: My Dear Wainwright: I have re-
ceived from the British ambassador at
Washington a letter stating that Sir
Edward Grey and Mr.. Balfour; have
carefully gone over the facts about Mr..
Triest as set forth In my letter. They
tell me that they find that Triest
shows no signs Of madness, but may
have an unbalanced mind, and that
the British government Is prepared TO
give him the benefit Of the doubt.
What they are prepared to agree to
lis the following: q g
II the father comes over; to Eng
land and makes himself responsible
for taking his son In his own personal
charge and escort him back to Amer
Ice, the boy will be handed over with
out being brought to trial. IF he is
brought to trial, the trial can hardly
fail to end In condemnation, the facts
being as they are. The only way TO
avoid q trial Is the course which Sir
Edward suggests. Please inform the
persons concerned.
" PLEASE show this letter to mr..
Triest. / understand that he has
agreed to the conditions, that lis, win
make himself responsible for taking
his son In his own personal charge to
America with him. II the boy shall
appear to be still Of unbalanced mind.
my own Judgment is he ought to be
sent to some sanitarium, at least I'm.
til this war is over.
II he has in any way recovered,
then Mr.. Triest should bring him to
me and give me the opportunity to ex-
plain to him In the presence Of his
father and OF yourself the terrible
character of the offense he has COM
mitted and the heavy load OF obliga-
tonn he and his family are under to
the British government. = I wish him
not only to understand the
0ffanra ooa;nek A., : ~. : .
nations, but an offense against
the law Of honor as understood by
gentlemen; an offense which, II It had
not been committed when his mind
was unbalanced, would unfit; him for
association with any soldiers Of q hieh
standard Of professional and persou-
al probity. and honor. q
Moreover, he should uniers and
and appreciate the contrast between
the conduct OF the British government
In his case and the conduct Of the
German government in permitting and
sanctioning what in order to be truth !.
ful, I can only describe as the outch-
cry Of Miss Cavell. 8 4,
" Miss Cayell was butchered for ac-
tons such as were taken by hundr ais.
probably by thousands Of women In
our Civil war; and 1T never ente ,ed
the heads Of either the union or CON
federate governments that 1t was ros-
sible so much as even to consider
putting to death these women.
" The execution Of Miss CayeIl was
Q deed OF black horror, and wnen /
saw the account Of 1t I confess that /
didn't believe the British government
would be inclined to show mercy to
young Triest: for, of course, the Yri.-
ish government had q .thousanif
more justification for Insisting unon
fha axnnaiAins,-,R Kit,.fn,4 4 a.. l.s.