The sun., 1918-05-24
MRS. STOKESI
GUILTY UNDER
ESPIONAGE ACT
Socialist Leaders Plea for
Appeal to Be Argued
on June |,
SEEMS TO COURT PRISON
Maximum Penalty on Each of
Three Counts 20 Years and
$4,000 Fine.

KANSAS CITY. Mo-. May 23.-Mrs
Rose Pastor stokes. charged with viola
ton Of the espionage act. was convicted
by a jury in the Federal courts tonight
Sire Was found guilty upon all three
counts in the indictment against her.
Afer comforting with Francis NJ. Will
son, United States District Attorney. and
seymour S,edman of Chicago. Mrs.
Stokes's counsel. Judge Van Valkenburg
announced that he would defer sentence
pending motion for new trial He
Sc, June | as the date for hearing the
motion
Mrs stokes received the jUry's verdict
without the slightest trace Of emotion
As she WAS leaving the court room she
sad 10 those about her that she intended
gong on with her work regardless OF
tae outcome Of the case.
seems 10 Court Prison.
II keep my health" she stated.
e" expect 10 continue my work. and IL
3! should he locked up it would make my
EFFORTS tremendously more effective"
The offence for which Mrs. stokes was
convicted carries with il a possible pen
atty Of a fine OF $4,000. or imprison-
went for twent, years. or both, on each
count
Pending the ruling upon the motion
ior a new trial Mrs. Stokes will con-
,.nue 20 oe al liberty on bond. The spe-
ciic act upon which Mrs. Stokes was in
d,cted was the writing TO the Kansas
City Star of a signed communication In
which she said
No Government which Is for the prof
t4ers can also be Tor the people. and
] An for the people, while the Govern
men, is 70. the profteers."
The first count OF the indictment
charged her with wilfully and knowing'!
a,t5mp,ing 10 cause INSTRUMENTATION, dis
20! atty. mutiny and refusal Of duty IN
ne military and naval forces OF the
Ual;sd states.
charged with AIDING Foe.
Tie second charged her with obstruct-
ire the recruiting and enlistins service
Of ,re United States. and the third ac-
used her of making and conveying
certain false reports and false state
inerts with the intent on her part TO
interfere with the operations ana sue
>. ul the military and naval FORCES OF
ne United states and to promote the
success Of the enemies OF the tinted
States"
The defence did not deny the author-
s = o. the communication ana -cohtehueu
tnst by using tho term Government
sas meant the Administration and that
such criticism did not constitute VIOLA
kou Of the espionage act. The Gov
-rrment contended that her motive IN
writing the communica ton was to spread
d:sioyal propaganda and interfere win
the prosecution of the war. The case
lad been on trial since last Monday.
The limit to which critics Of the GOV
e-rmsnt may GO in time OF war and the
inc oetueen objectionable and unob)ec-
'.0ra1lc criticism was drawn by the
court in instructing The jury our
armies and navies' he declared. can
operate and succeed only 20 far as the!
s~A Supported and maintained by the
!o.oS At home, and the measure OF tneir
- res- depends upon the intensity OF
luelr maintenance and support.
ANY statement made knowingly ana
wfuAy and with intent to promote
Interference with the operation ana
Success NJ these forces, and to promote
= corresponding success of our enemies.
= false and known TO be false oy the
orc Who makes il, comes WITHIN the
terms II this act OF Congress.
'Ary'7,nr which lowers the morale OF
o.' forces which serves to emil en-
'Hls.a.n extinguish confidence and re-
ard corporations may very well cause
insgbord nation. disloyalty or mutiny.
h EalG