The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-05-31
$4,000 BRITISH
NAMES ARE IN
FOES VICE BOOK
Names Of Asquith's Are Men
toned in Maud Allan Case
Testimony.
(By Associated Pressl

LONDON, Thursday, May 30.-Un-
der cross examination after his start
ling testimony for the defense in the
trial of Noel Pemberton- Billing, on the
charge of libelling Maude Allan, dane
er and J. T. Grejn, manager of the
Independent theater, Captain Harold
Sherwin Spencer declared today that
in May, 1917, he had made this re-
port to the chief of the British gener-
al staff in writing:
1--WE are being undermined in Italy
because the British ambassador is be-
ing blackmailed ~ the Germans and
is afraid 10 send information to Eng
land"
Capt. Spencer added that the am
bassador's name was also on the list
prepared by German secret agents Of
$4,000 British men and women. Ear
lier, Captain Spencer and Mrs. VII
Tiers Stewart had declared that the
persons named were said to be ad-
dicted to vice, and held in bondage
to Germany through fear of exposure.
Captain Spencer said he was born in
the United States and had served in
the American navy.
Mr. Pemberton- Billing, the defend
ant, is publisher Of the newspaper,
Visilante, and a member Of parlia-
ment
LONDON, May 31-Noel Pember-
ton-Billing, member of parliament for
East Hertfordshire, and publisher Of
the newspaper Vigilante, opened his
defense In his trial in the Bow street
police court today on the charge Of
libeling Maud Allan, dancer, and ]. T.
Grem, manager of the Independent
theater.
Mrs. Villiers Stewart was called to
testify to the existence Of a book
which Notwithstanding said has
been prepared by German secret
agents, containing the names of $4,000
British persons alleged to be addicted
to vice and held in bondage to Ger
many through fear Of exposure.
Prominent Names Mentioned.
Mrs. Stewart, under examination by
Mr.. Pemberton-Billing, said the book.
which she had seen, but which was
not produced, contained the names of
former Premier Asquith and Mrs. AS
quith, Viscount Haldane, former Sec
rotary for war, and Justice Darling,
who is trying the case against the
members of parliament.
Another witness, Capt. Harold Spen-
Ger, said he was shown the book by
Prince William of WED in Albania
He said he did not remember seeing
Mr.. AsQuith's name in it, but he de-
clared the names of Mrs. Asquith and
Niscount Haldane were there.
Courts Protection Sought.
Both Capt. Spencer and Mrs. Stew
art said they had been threatened, the
former after he had communicated
the fact to the authorities. Mr.. Penn
berton Billing asked the judge for pro-
lection for himself and his witnesses.
The judge referred him to the chief
commissioner of police.
Capt. Spencer, before giving the
names of Mrs. Asquith and Viscount
Haldane, said he would give only the
names of those who had been APP
preached and had succumbed to Ger
man temptation. He had placed the
information before the foreign Office
the war office, and the admiralty.
There was great political pressure
brought to bear" said the witness,
land | was told that if it were pub
lished it would undermine the whole
fabric of the government. then took
it to the political machine"
Explains His Object.
Capt. Spencer declared that pres
sure had been brought to bear to sup
press the matter in September last,
when "a political crisis was on and
they We're trying to bring Asquith
back to power"
Mr.. Pemberton-Billin explained
that his object in calling testimony as
TO the existence of the book of names
was to prove the existence of the
cult" referred to in the alleged libel
and its political significance.
Continuing his testimony, Capt.
Spencer, who was member of the in
ternational gendarmerie in Albania be-
fore the war and aide-de-camp to
Prince William of Wied, and is now a
member of the royal air forces. said
he wrote the article which contained
the alleged libel and which was based
on letter from Marie Corelli, the
novelist.
Last September he had heard of
camarilla in financial circles whose
object was to get Asquith back in
power and make a German peace. AS
a precaution, he informed American
naval headquarters, so that the plot
might be frustrated.
Gave Statement to Mayo.
Admiral Mayo and his secretary
came to me and got the whole state
ment," he said
Asked whether he knew of opera
tons OF the camarilla between Eng
land and Germany, the witness re-
Piled
They have had messages sent be-
twaop pplap5 and Carp,apy with The
intelligence"
One of the principal messengers. he
learned from persons who had report
ed to the intelligence department,
was we'll known English society
woman, Mrs. George Keppel Hhe had
seen Mrs. Keppel come back from
Holland.
AS for years, $50 worth of clothing is
furnished in the navy gratis at the
a,r T., % To- f,,yN