New-York tribune., 1918-09-18
Often
Mentioned in N. j.
'Freie-Zeitung' Case
Won K.asz|er Frequently Re-
eers 70 Hearst's Paper for
Substantiation

NEWARK, n. j. Sept. Il. Testify
ing in his own defence to-day, Will
Jam Won katzlor, former editor of Ihe
"New Jersey Freie Zeitung.' assumed
full responsibility for German-lan-
guage editorial attacks on England and
articles opposing the war with Ger
many, tha. were printed i'll that news
pa"er between June and October, 1917.
TINS Is lh" period Of time covered in
the ;ndictment on which Won Katzler,
Benedict ard edwin Pricth, former
publishers OF the newspaper are being
tried on charges of conspiring to OBJ
struct recruiting and enlistment in the
army and navy.
Won Katzler, veteran of the
Franco Prussian war of 1870, under
cross oss-examination, disclaimed all
knowledge of similar articles printed
in the English language in the "Nrec
Zeitung," and which were included IN
the Indictment. Although in complete
editorial control of the paper. he said
he didn't know who wrote the English
articles lie was followed on the stand
by Benedict Prieth. who had not fin
lShed MS testimony when court ad-
journed to-day. 1t was said that Edwin
Prieth would take the stand to-mor-
row, when his brother has concluded.
Refers to "American"
While Assistant United States Dis
tlct Attorney Joseph l.. Bodine was
az
katzler how he had formulated the
policy of cdtorially reiterating that
the United States was in the war for
the sake OF England the witness re
fcrred to The New York American .
which he had previously testified he
read daily, in addition TO other New
York newspapers.
Mr.. Bodnc had questioned Mn. Won
hatzler concerning his conversations
and possible conferences with his en-
ployers, the Prieth brothers, The old
editor heatedly declared that he. and
he alone. had been responsible for the
editorial policy OF the "Ncw Jersey
Freie Zeitung.' MIR. Prieth," said Won
katzler, left The editorial policy en-
tirely to my Judgment
"They the Prieths) never said to
you: play up at is England's war" 2"
asked Nh. Bodine
Won katzler shook his head negative
ly, and when admonished by the court
to reply audibly, said:
NO. sir
Says Others Had Same Opinion
"Then," asked Mr.. Bodine. chow did
t happen lhat in some seven. eight
or nine or more editorials you made
the point that the United States was
in the war for the sake of England q
Won Katzler leaning forward, re-
+ piled with emphasis:
"Mr. Bodine. think | was not the
only one who at that time--I repeat
that-at that time, had this opinion
to some extent. Nobody. at least not
the Prieths, has ever tried to instill
that into my mind. I got it from
read. in the articles, and so forth"
Yet. sir. day after day. you played
up iii the editorial columns of the New
Jersey 'Freie-Zeitung' the. statement
that it was England's war not ours a
war for Eng land, the Stacker nation %
continued Mr. Bodine
81 do not think | used the words
Stacker nation to begin with," replied
Won Katzler II do not believe have
ever used that expression. There was
in "The American was it-well.
f w ON / u" sure unless | COulu 20 OV1l
my notes-there was an article that
called attention to it; in fact, sale
there should not be any army sent oven
from here, over TO England unles.
they sent first the Eng!ishmen living
here in this country; make them en-
list and go over"
On direct examination by Otto
Stciifel, of counsel for the defence
Mr.. Won Katzler testified that he be
came q citizen of ,he United States
IN 1888. Ho was born in Germany ir
1862
Benedict rreth. forty eight years
old, sunburNcd and Of athletic appear
sacc. with duelling scar extending
The line Of lis mouth to the lobe OF
his left ear, followed Won katzler &c
the stand. He Is slightly deaf. Nj
! Frieth testified that he vas Dcl-l ~
Newark, but said his father, Benedic
rrlcth. 81, had hecn born in the Aus.
trian 1yrol. had arrived IN the United
States in the SOS, and had founded
the "New jersey Freie Zeitung'
Questioned by Attorney SteifFei, Mr.
prieth testified he vas married. has
four daughters. all OF whom had beer
born and raised in Newark, ana that ii,
owned two parcels of real estate in tina
city, each of which was worth apou
$4,000 or $40, 900. This, Mr.. Steitfc
said, was to show thai Mr.. Prieth's in
terests we're ali in the United States.
Prieth's examination should be fin
ishcd tomorrow. Court is to open a
$50, so that the case may be submit
ted to the jury before niChtfall