Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-12-06
Continued from page u

on its merits, without any disposition
TO stick the pair.
Assured that Mr.. Preston did not in
tend to press the case If he were con-
WINGED that no wrong-doing had been
intended and that the violation OF the
act was not serious, plans were set
afOot at once to place before Mr.. Pres
ton every scrap OF evidence that could
be secured by the defense.
II is stated that District Attorney
Huber cooperated in Hawaii with what
the San Francisco prosecutor was do
ing Part Of the work consisted in
collecting all the books and papers
here and in Hilo bearing on the deal.
ings OF Hackfeld & Co. with the Nav
erick and sending them 10 San Fran.
cisco
kIebahn Summoned as Witness
1t was at this point that the govern.
ment subpoenaed F. W. klehahn,
manager of the shipping department
OF Hackfeld & Co, as a government
witness. His departure for San Fran
cisco with the books and documents
showing the Maverick transactions
was part of the results of the effort
to show Mr.. Preston that neither the
defendants nor Hackfeld & Co. had
connived at a violation of the neutral.
ity law.
With these books and documents
before him, it is stated that District
Attorney Preston was able to confirm
the statements made on behalf of the
defendants. His acceptance of the
plea of guilty to the technical violation
Of law followed.
Fine May Be imposed.
While nothing is known here as to
what sentence will be melted out to the
defendants, one report which received
credence today is that they will be
fined, but that no prison sentence is
likely to be given.
The statement to the court was
made through their attorneys, Sulli
van & Roche. 1t is as follows in full:
while constrained under the EXIST
ing extraordinary conditions to the en-
try of a plea of guilty in behalf Of the
defendants, George Rodick and H. A.
Schroeder, of violation of one of the
neutrality laws of the United States,
It Is but fair not only to the American
citizens Of the Hawaiian islands,
among whom they have lived and la
bored 50 long, but to themselves as
we'll, that the circumstances which
prompt such action on their part be
stated.
$50 far as these two defendants are
concerned, the matters charged in the
indictment occurred long prior to any
state Of actual or declared war be.
tween the United States and Germany.
and during a time when bitter and
relentless war was being waged be-
tween Great Britain and Germany.
"The transactions, because of which
these two defendants found them
selves involved in this Indictment
which consisted exclusively In arrans.
ing FOR the furnishing Of provisions
and money TO the steamer Maverick
while at Hilo and the transmission to
her master Of sailing orders previous
ly communicated TO them, took place
during the months of April and May,
1915, and were regarded by them as
purely commercial In character, in.
volving no breach of any obligation
due from either of them to the gov.
eminent OF the United States.
Neither. of these two defendants
at the stime these transactions occur.
red was cognizant of the fact that in
participating therein he was violating
any law of the United States.
"Twenty-seven years ago Mr..