The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-09-20
CLEARS Defendant
IN the WELLS CASE
Continued From Page I

NAMED only ono count. the charge
Of conspiracy TO violate the dcclar.
alton OF war and the laws or the
United States In regard To armed
forces. which stood against Wells.
Sam Sadier and Fisherman.
The motions 10 dismiss were
made by the defense after the gov.
ernment had waived tho right TO
call rebuttal witnesses. following
the closing OF tho evidence for the
defense with tho testimony Of
Wells.
Cross examination of Wells
opened tho trial Thursday morning.
Does Not Know Cron
In tho course OF questioning by
u. 4. Attorney Clay Allen. Wells
was asked II he knew Hans Cron.
a German who was informed In se-
attic recently for alleged pro-Ger-
man intrigue.
Il do not know Hans Cron. or
anything about such person."
Wells replied.
In answer TO the question. How
do you know the difference be-
tween a coward and a conscientious
obiectorf" Wells quickly replied.
by their actions"
That the "no.eonseriptlon"
teafiet, which forms the basis
for the conspiracy charge, did
not exactly express the mean
Ing OF those who were Interest
ed II. and that II was a shade
too sensational. was the admls
slon Of Wells when he took
the stand In hls own defense.
"Wednesday afternoon.
Il myself thought the lcAflet had
too much OF tho flavor OF yellow
journalism Wells said. tho. OF
course. 4, was not up TO me TO make
any changes In Il. as ! was not n
member OF the committee appointed
10 draw Il up"
Wells declared that he was op.
posed 10 the conscription law be
cause he believed II was unconsti'
tutionai, and that no was opposed
20 Intervention In foreign affairs.
nF tAfNf No nfiftNfA u A1AhA ~ "
the Monroe doctrine.
On questions from United States
Attorney Clay Allen. Wells admit
ted that he held this opinion in spite
OF the fact that no responsible court
had ever declared the draft uncon-
atitutioual. aitho Il had been used
on other occasions In the history Of
the country. notably during the civil
war.
Denies Conspiracy
Wells was mistaken on his ties.
timony that there had been no 80
crecy or conspiracy In the prepare.
ton Of the lcaflst.
When I took tho proofs back 20
George r. Lismtan. who printed
the circulars" Wells said. 4 suK
rcsied that he might want hia trade
number. 2. left of the union label
knew he was a conservative. and
I did no, want him to get into any
trouble on my account I suppose
either he or some one IN his office
struck the number out.
Morris Pass. who has figured
silently in the trial from tho first.
was brought into the testimony
Wednesday aa the man who was on
the committee OF the American
Union Against Mili,arism 10 draw
up the apu-draft leRfle,.
Pass mot mo in the lobby OF tho
Labor temple" Wells testified. "and
handed me n typ.writtcn copy. ask.
ing me TO have the circulars printed
and to read proc, on the matter"
Both the government, and tho dc.
Tense attempted 60 bring in evl.
dence that was not allowed by
the court during direct and cross.
examination. Allen presented
copy OF tho "Bundy Record" CON
tanning n contribution by Wells.
written while he wRs employed In
the postoffice. in which Allen stat
ed the defendant expressed himself
as opposed TO government The
court did not permit the publication
to be introduced as evidence.
The defense brought in letters
from Washington congressman. ask.
Ing for expressions OF opinion on
the war and conscription. in an at.
tempt TO prove the good faith OF
Wells and his associates. They
also were denied admission "a eyi.
dence by Judge Netcrer.