The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-31
GERMAN VICE
PLOT AIMED
AT ASQUITHS
Captain Bares Threats
Based on Work of Teu-
ton Agents.
WITNESSES SAW VOLUME
Publisher Defending Libel
Suit Tells Of Political
Pressure.

LONDON, may oU.--NOeI femUottOns
Billing. member OF Parliament for East
Herttordshire and publisher OF the
newspaper Ti0udnte, opening his de-
fence in lis trial In the Bow street police
court to-day on the charge Of libelling
Mauds Allan. dancer. and J. T. Grein.
manager Of the Independent Theatre.
called Mrs viiliers Stewart TO prove the
existence OF a book which Pemberton-
Billing alleged had been prepared by
German secret agents. containing the
names Of 1900 British persons said to
he addicted to vice and reid in bondage
TO Germany through fear OF exposure.
Mrs. Stewart. under examination by
Nj Pemberton- Billing. said the book
which she had q N but which was not
produced. contaii ID the names OF ex-
Premier Aeauitt. nd MrA Asauith. Wis.,
count Haldane. former Secretary Of
War. and Justice Darling. who IL try
ing the case against the member Of Par.
Lament.
Namesis. Vice Book.
Another witness. Capt. Harold Spen-
Ger, said the book was shown him by
FRINGE william Of Wied in Albania. He
said he did not remember seeing Mr..
Asauith's name In It. but he asserted
II at the names Of MrA Asquith and Wis.
count Haldane were there.
Capt. Spencer and Mrs Stewart both
said they had been threatened, the for.
mer after he had communicated the fact
60 the auth critics. and Mr.. Pemberton-
Billing asked the Judge for protection
for himself and his witnesses. The
Judge referred him to the Chief Commits
eioner of Police.
Capt. Spencer. before giving the names
Of Mrs. Asquith and viscount Haldane
said he would only give tho names Of
those who had been approached and
had succumbed to German 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 II It were published II
would undermine the whole fabric Of the
Government then took II to the politi-
cal machine"
Capt. Spencer declared that pressure
rad been brought TO bear to suppress
the matter in September last when -
political crisis was on and they were
trying to bring Asquith back 10 power"
"CuIt" Back OF Deal.
Mr. Pemberton- Billing explained that
fis object in calling evidence as to the
existence of the book OF names was to
prove the existence OF the ''cult" re-
ferred to In tho alleged libel and Its
political Significance.
Continuing his testimony. Capt. Spen-
cor, who was a member Of the internA-
tonsi gendarmerie in Albania before the
va and aide de camp to Prince WILL
ian Of wied and Is now a member OF
the royal air forces. said he wrote the
article which contained the alleged libel
atd which was based on letter from
Mare Coreil. the novelist. Last Sep
.emhe- ne had heard Of camarilla in
financial circles. whose object was to get
Asputh back in power and make Ger
man peace As a precaution ne Informed
American naval headquarters so that the
plot might be frustrated.
Admiral Mayo and his secretary
came to me and got the whole state
neDt," he said.
Asked whether he knew Of operations
o. the camarilla between England and
Germany the witness replied: They
have had messages sent between Eng
lsl1 and Germany with this intelli-
Gence
One ot tho principal messengers he
learned from persons who had reported
70 N. Intelligence Department. was q
vel known English society woman, Mrs.
George ksppel He had seen Mrs. KEEP
Pc come back from Holland.