Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-26
GERMAN ARRA|GNED
At BRATTLEB0R0.
Max Wolff Said: ITO Hell with
u. SHE viii larry in
Newfane Jail.

Bratteboro. April M.-Max Violin of
saxtons River, a German citizen, 81 years
old, was to-day given q hearing here
before Judge Harland B. Howe Of the
United States court on the charge Of hav-
ing uttered remarks detrimental to the
interests OF the nation, being accused,
among things, Of saying, ITO hell with
the United States" when asked about his
Views on enlistment. Judge Howe decided
that Violin must furnish 5000 ball to obey
the laws or be confined In Newfane Jail
until further order Of the court lie was
unable to furnish the amount required
and was taken to jail.
District Attorney Vernon A. Billiard
of Burlington appeared for the
government. but Wolff stubbornly
refused to employ counsel or to
have counsel assigned him by the court.
He also declined to testify in his own be-
half but once or twice he awaited himself
of the opportunity Of questioning wit
nesscs. Once he remarked that he would
have an attorney If he could have one
who Is a German citizen like himself.
The complaint as read by Clerk Plat
alleged that the United States and Ger
many are at war and that the President
has issued a proclamation enjoining per-
give aid or comfort to the enemy. 1t stat
ed that Wolff is an alien enemy. a native
and a citizen Of Germany and that for him
to be at large would be dangerous to pub
lie safety.
It further charged that on April y, 1917
Wolff violated the United States statutes
and the Presidents proclamation by say
ing in the presence Of others:
ITO hell with this country I belone
to a good country" and that at the same
time he displayed a ribbon rosette Of the
German colors.
To these charges Wolff pleaded moi
guilty and when advised by the court tc
have counsel he replied: II do not need
any. can speak for myself"
B. e. Merriam, superintendent Of schools
Of Bellows Falls. testified that Wolf
came from the State reformatory at Rah
way, N. j.. last October to work for DR.
, w. D. Bowen of Saxton's River. Or
the night Of April u Wolff told the wit
ness that he would not take out naturali
cation papers as he was q German ant
proposed to remain loyal to his country
some education.
! DR.. Bowen testified that wolff showed
lack Of interest in his garden work ant
when spoken to about 1t said that he die
not intend to carry on a large garden tt
help England when the Germans wert
starving. He testified to having heart
Wolf say in reply to questions that HI
had been in this country five years; tina,
he had taken his money out Of the banl
because he did not wish the United States
to have the use Of it: that he had a fam
lily in Germany and did not propose tt
fight against his family; that he did no
wish to go back to the New Jersey re
formatory because there he would be re
quired to salute the American flag. SIM
American songs and. II he refused. woult
be punished for 1t.
When asked IL he desired to question
the witness Woln exclaimed: IT did no
say that the United States was starving
Germany but that the United States sen
food to England and they starved Ger
many"
Charles Stone, conductor. and John D
Dunbar, motorman on the Bellows Fails
and Saxtons River street railway, testified
to VOLTS statement. about fighting TO
Germany. 1t was in reply to question
by Dunbar as to whether Wolff was goin,
to enlist. To this Wolff replied mo. tt
hell with the United States. I am goin,
TO fight for a good country" and dis
played the German rosette.
United States Marshal Carpenter an,
Deputy Sheriff George P. Alexander CAV
corroborative testimony. Wolff then de
clined finally to testify and the cour
| made it's finding.