New-York tribune., 1918-06-02
Socialist Wife of Million
aire Ordered Imprisoned
Under Sedition Act
New Trial Is Denied;
She Is Freed on Bail
Spargo Says Justice Mis-
carried; Attacks Anti
American Newspapers
Especial Dispatch to The T,tbune)

KANSAS CITY, Mo-, June Mrs
Rose Pastor Stokes was sentenced in
the Federal Court to-day to ten years
in the Missouri State Penitentiary for
violations of the Federal espionage law.
The scene was dramatic. Mrs. Stokes \
had just concluded an impassionate
statement cf her beliefs and declara-
tions of her innocence of intent to vio-
late the law. Her last words before the
sentence was given by Judge Arba S.
Van Valkenburgh were
~ am ready for my sentence"
at is the judgment of the court"
Judge Van Nalkenburgh said, "that the
defendant shall serve ten years in the
Missouri state penitentiary on the first
count of this indictment and ten years
on the second and third counts, the
sentences to run concurrently."
Mrs. Stoker, at this, turned her head
quickly toward the wife of her attor-
ney, Seymour Stedman, with a smile.
But there was little JOY in the smile
and she was very near to tears.
She. quickly regained self-control,
however, and sat quietly while her at
torney made preparations for formal
notice of appeal to the United States
Circuit Court of Appeals.
Held in $4,000 Bond
Judge Van Nalkenburgh continued
the former bond of $4,000, and the
defendant will be permitted to return
to her home in New York City.
She was sentenced TO the Missouri
penitentiary because the prison at
Leavenworth provides mo quarters for
women prisoners.
At the conclusion of his argument
for a new trial, which was promptly
overruled by the court, Attorney Sted-
man turned to the court and said:
81 believe Mrs Stokes has a few
remarks to make"
The court assented with a nod and
Mrs. Stokes began reading from a
manuscript she had brought into the
courtroom. She reviewed some aspects
of her communication to "The Kansas
City STAR" on which the prosecution
was founded. She said no evidence
had been produced to prove that she
had opposed the war. She reverted to
the subject of "War profteers" and
emphasized the point which was elabor
ated on in the trial that by referring
to "the government" she meant "the
administration" She brought in the
fact that members of her family were
now engaged in the country's military
service and stamped as "preposterous"
the idea that her purpose could have
been to create mutiny or disloyalty in
the service in which her own people
were engaged
Conscious of No Crime
u believe your honor must know
although you disagree with my social
philosophy" Mrs. Stokes said in con-
clusion, that have signally striven to
be useful to my fellow men and to be
OF service to society; that, though low
ing the peoples of all countries, l have
devoted my life in loving service to
the people of my own country. Indeed,
IT must be patent to your honor, l be-
lieve, that the very ideal of interna-
tionalism which this court regards as
so reprehensible-the ideal of world
democracy-w / hold in common
must make a better citizen of any an
In any country ne may choose or acci-
dentally inherit as his own.
u am not conscious of committing
any crime, your honor, unless an ar
dent desire to serve the ends of social
and economic justice, acclaimed as of
the highest social value in times of
peace, becomes an anti-socal thing
and a crime in time of war. There
are many things l have it in my heart
to say, but somehow I~feel that time
and events will speak more eloquently
Tor me than l am able to speak for
myself. | am ready for my sentence"
Stedman Issues Statement
Seymour Stedman, with Mrs. Stokes
listening closely and approving, made
the following statement to newspaper
men;
There was no evidence in this case
showing any general movement to block
or impede the military forces of the
United States in carrying out the war
operations and no evidence of gen.
eral movement in opposition to the
cause of the United States in the war.
There was no evidence even re-
moteiy suggesting any connection be-
tween the defendant and any, such
movement, and ! cannot quite under
stand why Mrs. Stokes should be pun
isned upon the theory there is such
movement in the United States as the
soMrt seems to think exists.
The court seems under the impress
zion that any one approving of the rev.
o!usion in Russia contributes to the
poss'nllity of disintegration here.
ssasnot see the force Of this, unless the
ladge is unoer the impression there
xxAlsts IN this country the culture soil
tSr Inc same character of revolt as that
81 9
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