New-York tribune., 1918-05-31
$4,000 Britons in
Fear of Exposure''
Publisher Seeks to Cou-
ple Ex-Prenier With
Teuton Peace
Conspiracy

LONDON, May 30.-Noel Pemberton-
Billing, Member Of Parliament for East
Hertfordshire and publisher of the
newspaper "Vigilante," opening his de-
fence in his trial in the Bow Street
Police Court to-day on the charge of
'lbelling Maud Allan, dancer, and ]. T.
Grein, manager of the Independent
Theatre, called Mrs. Villiers Stewart to
prove the existence of a book which
Pemberton-Billing alleged had been
prepared by German secret agents. con-
tanning the names of 47,00O British per-
sons said to be addicted to vice and
held in bondage to Germany through
fear Of exposure.
sf Mrs. Stewart, under examination by
Mr.. Pemberton-Bi Billing. said the book
which she had seen but which was not
produced. contained the names of ex-
Premier Asquith and Mrs. Asquith,
Z Viscourt Haldane. former Secretary for
War. and Justice Darling. who is try
ing the case against the Member of
Parliament.
IluCc vi w leu I6O DOOA
Another witness. Captain Harold
Spencer. said he was shown the book
by Prince William of Wied in Albania.
He said he did not remember seeing
Nr. Asquith's name in it. but he de-
clared the names of Mrs. Asquith and
Viscount Haldane were there.
Captain Spencer and Mrs. Stewart
both said they had been threatened. the
former after he had communicated the
fact to the authorities. and Mr.. Penn
oerton- Billing asked the judge for 30
lection for himself and his witnesses.
The judge referred him to the chief
commissioner of police.
Captain Spencer, before giving the
names Of Mrs. Asquith and Viscount
Haldane, said he would only give the
names of those who had been ap-
preached and had succumbed to Ger
information before the Foreign Office.
the War Office and the Admiralty.
Political Pressure Alleged
"There was great political pressure.
brought to bear" said the witness,
and was told that if it were pub
iished it would undermine the whole
5abric Of the government. I then took
y to the political machine"
Captain Spencer declared that press
nke had been brought to bear to sup
Press the matter in September last,
Mhen "a political crisis was on and
Aey were trying to bring Asquith back
% power"
Mr.. Pemberton- Billing explained that
his 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 the alleged libel and its
pplitical significance.
Continuing his testimony, Captain
spencer, who YVES member of the In
ternational Gendarmerie in Albania be-
tore the war and aide-de-eamp to Prince
William of Wied and Is now a mem
her Of the Royal air forces. said he
wrote the article which contained the
alleged libel and which was based on
ist.
Alleges Financial Plot
Last September he had heard of
camArilla in financial circles, whose
object was to get Asquith back in
power and make German peace. AS a
precaution he informed American naval
headquarters so that the plot might be
frustrated.
admiral Mayo and his secretary
came to me and got. the whole state
2ment," he said.
Asked whether he knew of opera
lions OF tae camarilla between England
md Germany, the witness replied: |
They have had messages sent between
England and Germany with this in
tellieence.
One Of the principal messengers"
ne said he learned from persons who |
nsd reported to the Intelligence De-
society woman, Mrs. George Keppel"
&c said he had seen Mrs. Keppcl come |