New-York tribune., 1918-04-22
w. j. Bryan Aids
Fight of GodsoL
On Extradition
Continued from page l

port back to the United States early in
1917 in reference to the further allie
CATION. widely published, that he left
France the last time a fugitive, and
reiterated an offer which. he said he
had made to French representatives
here to go back willingly if it could
be shown that the French army admin
lstratlon was not fully aware of his
commission arrangements with various
Italian and American motor car manu-
tacturers. or that it was not true that
France had paid more for certain
American trucks before he acquired the
agency than it did afterward.
Admits He Made Money
That" he said, "disposes of tho
charge that the commissions received
France. AS a matter of fact, I came
over to America for the express pur-
pose of procuring larger discounts for
france on army trucks. | could have
| done it. was willing even to cut nv
own commissions. But General Gosse.
lin, former head Of the purchasing mis-
sion in New York, and Major Vignal,
MS successor. both rejected my service
on account Of my contracts, and there
was nothing for me to do"
but what about the moral aspect of
the natter" he was asked "Wasn't it
morally, if not legally, wrong for YOU,
as soldier of France, a private, to be-
making millions out of the sale of army
trucks?'' ''
81 am no angel" was the replv. "1
seek no halos. But if France could not
deal with citizen who was a soldier.
with whom could she deal. when 80 per
cent OF the male citizens belong to the
army?
81 did nothing that other Frenchmen
are. not doing to-day; that Americans.
hailed as patriots, are not also doing
| rlght here. | made as much money as I
could with the full knowledge and con-
sent of the French government"
In Jail Since March 6
Godsol has been in Jail since March
6, for the reason that pending extradi-
tion under international treaties
to procure his release under bond or
! in the custody of a United States mar
shal have been frustrated but there
were indications to-day that former
Senator Bailey, Godsol's chief counsel
here, might adopt better strategy and
turn defence into offence with an un-
expected legal move.
Godsol's arrest was voluntary. He
came here from Palm Beach for a
"show down" on the charges that had
been published and almost constantly
reiterated in all the principal cities Of
the Allied countries since last Novem-
ber. This followed message from
Mr. Bryan, from Washington. after a
final visit to the State Department to
ask Mr.. Lansing to grant Godsol an
interview.
Godsol and Bryan had had con.
ference previously at the Florida resort
just prior to the Bryan Hearst Hylan
dinner
This conference had been preceded in
January by meeting in New York ar
ranged by Count" de Besa. At that
meeting Godsol submitted statement
Of his case to the former Secretary of
State, including details of his business
with "Tecla" pearls and "Tat" dia-
monds, from which he made hundreds
OF thousands of dollars in America and
Europe in few years before he dipped
into the motion picture and theatrical
game his principal occupation before
the outbreak of the war. Mr. Godsol
had scores of diamond palaces" in Eu-
rope. in India and China, Japan and
the Philippines. But in Germany and
France he was summoned by tribunals
or commerce in two instances and sub
jected to fines for unfair competition"
with straight line jewellers.
First Charge Dropped
On January 30, on the paper of the
Fairfax Hotel, in Norfolk, Bryan wrote
to Godsol. commenting on all phases of
the case, as follows:
II have read your statement. and it
Dre2entS CT
weak point is the mater of the 'Tecla'
pearls and the TAFT diamonds. While
the fine was small, still anv fine
carries with it the presumption of
Ruilt, which an enemy can use with
effect.
ut does not, however. affect the
char ge made by the French govern
ment. If the facts support your state
ment your defence would seem to be
complete"
>, This followed trip of the former
Secretary Of State to this city to carry
out an inquiry regarding the cLse. But
Mr.. Godsol apparently failed to keen
an engagement to meet him at Green
boro. N. c., on a train to learn the re-
suits.
Although arrested March 6, Mr.. God
sol was not brought into court until
April is, the last Of the forty davs al.
lowed for the institution Of extrad;.
tion proceedings under treaty pro
Visions. Until that day the charge
had been that Godsol was guilty Of
the theft Of $500 in Paris. But at
Inc last moment this charge was with
drawn, the proceedings were trans
fcrrcd from the United States Com.
missioner to the Jurisdiction Of jug
tice Hitz, OF the Supreme Court Of the
! District Of Columbia. and a ncw charge
lodged that Godsol by falsely repre-.
sentinV To the Picrcc-Arrow Company.
Of Buffalo. that only through him
! could 1t sell trucks TO the French pov-
crnmcnt, obtained Il commission con.
tract by which he mulcted France Of