New-York tribune., 1918-09-14
'Zeiturlg" Editors
Introduce Wilson'S
Letter to Brisbane
Defendants Quote Presi-
dent, Who Guaranteed
Freedom to Criticise
BY BRIGGS

NEWARk, n. j.. Sept ia letter
written by President Wilson to Arthur
Brisbane, one Of William Randolph
Hearst's editors, in which the President
upholds the right Of Americans to crit
icise their public officials, himself in
cluded, was read into the record TODAY
by the counsel for the defence at the
trial of the former publishers and for
mer editor of the "New Jersey Frcie
Zeltung," charged with violating the
espionage act
The case for the defendants -Benc-
dict and Edwin S. Pricth and William
Won katzier-Was opened this morning
by Otto Steifel, who told the iurv that
ne represented trio of much malirned
Americans who were loyal to the cause
OF the United States. Mr.. Steifel took
up IN detail the lives of the three re-
naming defendants. He said he would
prove to the jury that other papers
lwhich he did not nance had attacked
England IN a more violent fashion than
had his clients. He promised to dwell
on this point in detail as he developed
the Defence
Prieths Born in United States
Mr. Steifel said that the Prjeths
were born in America. BENJAMIN. he
sald. had been a member of the Board
OF Education of Newark. and also hal
been treasurer of the State Republican
Committee and member of til Com
mttec of One Hundred Won Katzlcr.
he said, had been an officer OF Prussiar
troops during the Franco Prussian war
OF $50. For tins Won katzler was not
responSibie, declared Mr., Steifel. and
added that the Prussans Of 1870 were
very diherent IN their conduct on in
Vaded son from the Prussians Of to-
day.
when the Prieths expressed resent
ment against the attacks on all things
German that were being made in the
United States after we entered the
war they were functioning in the high
est regree as citizens. OF course. thew
resented it when people shouted for
the determination of everything Ger
man IN this country. for the suppress
SION OF the German language, German
ar' ana German commerce after the
war. Why shouldn't they?"
Mr. Stelfel then read the following
letter, written April 27, 1917. bv Pres.
ldcnt Wilson and addressed to Arthur
Brisbane, of the Hearst publications:
Wilson's Letter to Brisbane
II sincerely appreciate the frankness
OF your interesting letter of April
20, with reference to the so-called
espionage bill now awaiting the ac-
ton OF Congress. approve of this
legislation, but need not assure YOU
and those interested in it that, what
ever action the Congress may decide
upon, so far as | am personally con
cerned, | shall not apply or permit
any part of this law TO apply to me
or any of my Official acts, or in anv
way to be used as a shield against
criticism.
Il can imagine no greater disscr-
vice to the country than to establish
system of censorship that would
deny to the people Of free republic
like our own their indisputable right
to criticise their own public oticisls
While exercising the powers of the
office hold, | would regret in a
crisis like the one through which We
are passing to lose the benefit Of na
triotic and intelligent criticism.
I'm these trying times one can feel
certain only Of his motives, which he
must strive to purge Of seltishness Of
every kind, and wait with patience
for the judgment of a calmer dav to
vindlcate the wisdom of the course
he has tried conscientously to fol
low.
Thank you for having written me.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
(Signed) "WOODROW WILSON,"
Two witnesses for the defence we're
examined after Mr.. Steifel concluded,
and then court was adjourned until
Tuesday morning.