New-York tribune., 1918-06-29
German on Trial
Under Spy Law
Praises Hearst
Stephen Binder, Author,
Denies He Attempted to
Hinder u. S. in War

Stephen Binder, author of a book
entitled Light and Truth" on trial in
the United States District Court in
Brooklyn on charge of violating the
espionage act, yesterday took the wit
ness stand in his own behalf.
Binder, who was born in Germany
and naturalized in this country three
years ago, in his testimony showed his
friendliness for William Randolph
Hearst and Hearst publications. He
read a passage from his book naming
the Hearst papers as among the few
which printed the war news to his
taste.
1--WE become impressed then that,
with the exception of a few papers
like the Hearst papers and others,
which, to the evil luck Of America, were
in the minority, the people are not
really represented in the papers," the
passage read.
Binder attempted to convince the
jury that the purpose of his book was
not to hinder the United States or the
Allies in the prosecution of the war
or to give aid to the enemy. On the
stand he lost the composure with which
he had listened to the testimony
against him and became highly excited,
at times shouting and waving his
hands.
Wouldn't Buy Liberty Bond
He said his aim was to bring the
war to an end and to show the Ameri-
can people that the war could have
been avoided.
Just before Assistant United States
70 ,vno
the witness juror asked Binder how
he felt toward the Liberty Loan.
II am opposed to the United States
entering this war and have not and
will not buy Liberty bond to help
prosecute the war" the author replied
heatedly. "When this country entered
the war some ladies asked me to put
up flag and l refused, and I never
did put up flag"
Binder added that he has subscribed
to the Red Cross. Under cross-exami-
Wilson's proclamation setting out the
| reasons for this country entering the
war was a pretext to deceive the peo.
| pie.
He admitted that country has a
| right to protect its rights by force
and that it is citizens duty to sup
port his government.
| Binder paused during statement he
was making to the Jury when more
than fifty sailors filed into the court.
room and took seats, waiting to be nat
! uralized.
A recess was taken while the sailors
took the oath of allegiance to this
country.
Wants U. S. to Make Peace
Referring to the passage in his bool
which showed sympathy for the SIM
Fein, Binder said he meant that "nov
is the time for Ireland to get its free
dom by acting in this country and else
where toward that end.", He said he di
not intend to incite an uprising,
Binder declared that he wanted thi
country to win the war, but that tn
| only way in which the United State
could win and escape destruction wa
by making peace. He asserted tina
America was ruled in part by the capi
talists and said that President Wilso
charged his stand toward the war afte
ne had consulted with the head of
big munitions plant, who had rcturne
from England, where he had obtaine
a contract.
Charles F. Vocgele, Swiss, calle
to the stand as government witness
appeared to be unwilling to give tes
tlmony hurtful to Binder. Asked if h
wanted this country to win the wa
Voegele said: ~ won't saw YES or
won't say no to that question. Pm neu
, trail"
i Voegele testified that he had edite
part Of the copy for Binders bool
binder took the stand ct 1880 o'clocl
after the prosecution ind rested II
case in chief. The trial win be r.
sumed Monday at 10 O'Clock.