The sun., 1919-06-19
FORD TOOK GERMAN
SIDE, WOOD ASSERTS
Preparedness Exponent Testi-
fees in Libel Suit About
1915 Interview.
HE WOULD FURL FLAG
Willis J. Abbot Tells Jury
Manufacturer Favored
Big U. s. Effort.
HE WOULD FURL FLAG
Special DsspoteA to The sus.

declared he would not make any muni-
lions Of war, even II the country shouio
become involved in the world struggle.
Willis ]. Abbot, newspaper man and
ne "a zine writer, also told OF an inter-
view with Mr.. Ford.
In this interview Mr.. Ford Is quoted
as having said that at the time OF his
visit to Stockholm in 1913, several
months before his statement to Mr..
Wood, he had seen the futillty of tryins
TO end war by peaceful means and de-
cided that the only way to crush war
was to crush nations which thrived on
militarism, and that the only way TO DC
that might be to build up military ma
chine Of monstrous proportions. Aopo'
said Ford then declared that everything
he had was at the services OF the GOV
eminent in such q cause until war hao
been abolished by war.
The third feature OF the session was
testimony by Irving Bacon. an artist
now in the employ Of the Ford plant.
that he had been engaged at one time
in designing a flag Of all nations. such
as Mr. Ford was quoted as saying he
would place over his factory In lieu of
the Stars and Stripes when that emblem
came down never to 60 UP again after
the war was ended.
Wood Tells OF Interview.
Mr.. Wood testified for an hour on
direct examination, giving a resume OF
discussion with Mr.. Ford. In the
course OF. the talk. he said, these express
sions we're made by Mr. Ford: Don't
speak of patriotism patriotism Is the
last refuge Of a scoundrel."
II don't believe in the nag. A nag
is only something to rally around. When
tho war is over that flag will come down
OF my plant and never go up again"
II would not make dollars worth
of munitions for the Government
This last quotation precipitated one
of the bitterest scenes of the tria,-
,"I considered him a dirty American
said the witness.
Instantly Alfred Lucking and Alfred
J. Murphy wero on their feet
~ resent that, your Honor. and
want II stricken from the record ex-
claimed Mr.. Lucking.
Judge Tucker cautioned the witness
and directed that the remark that caused
the trouble be stricken out.
Mr.. Lucking. after trying several
times to stop a reply before II was COM
rleted. would shoot another question in
while Wood was talking.
I'd like to finish my answer" said
Wood smiling. Now when / raise my
hand like this"-lifting his left hand
with the palm toward the questioner-
at means that am still talking
Mr.. Woods hand was still In the air
when the forenoon recess was an
nounced.
Mr.. Luc<ins asked that the examina-
tion OF Mr.. Wood be suspended until
Thursday. saying 1t was only fair that
the council should have opportunity to
consult NJ. Ford as to his version of the
interview before going on.
IT sec nothing in the record which
would prevent your client being In
court" said Mr.. Stevenson.
Ford May Appear in Court.
The court stopped a verbal encounter
II is possible Mr.. Ford will be in cour,
when The examination is continued.
Il had been speaking on preparedness,
at various places throughout the coun'
try" said Mr.. Wood, and while II
Detroit had expressed the desire to &c
to Mr. Ford and see II could no
change his views, which I felt wer,
harming the country. The meeting wa.
arranged.
The interview was general for a time
Edsel Ford also being there.
II told Mr.. Ford that, while I be
lieved him a high minded Individual,
thought he had been doing great damag,
to the country; that the nation was II
a dangerous position, and that unles,
preparations were made for detenc,
disaster might be the result. 1 told him
I believed he was doing what he was
doing only because he didn't know the
facts and that I hoped to overcome hi.
opposition.
IT spoke Of the Lusitania and OF tn,
feeling then existing between the United
States and Britain and France over ship
ping matters and pointed out that II tn.
war should suddenly end in truce W,
might be left entirely by ourselves. with
out any allies and with Germany left
free to attack US; that Germany theI
had the second navy in the world an,
we only the fourth; that Germany ha,
an immense thoroughly trained an,
equipped army and we scarcely any.
IT quoted military authorities VIII,
found that 100000 Germans could b.
landed on our Eastern coast within
striking distance OF Boston in forty-si,
days and of the 1874 points along ou
Atlantic and Gulf coast where the en-
envy could land without encounterinJ
harbor Notifications.
Told Him of German Menace.
II told him 1t had been stated Il
me by experts that in sixty days tn,
Germans could land on Long Island anC
occupy New York. Gripping our finances
and manufactures.
what do you think is the reason 70
Germany's bitternessT asked Mr. Ford
II told him she resented II because W,
had furnished Britain and France will
munitions and food.
l. 4
matter. and said that we ought to hav,
kept out of the matter entirely.
Mr. Ford ! said. for our own pro
lection We can't permit acceptance Of
the German view. You are opposed L
an army large enough for protection
Now II Germany should come over anC
attack US unprotected, We, after deny
ing munitions to nations now in war
could not hope to buy munitions from
them or to get help from them in an,
way. Nations at war have always
bought from nations at peace
Then Mr.. Ford expressed doubts q.
to the ability OF the Germans TO invad,
US went into the matter OF a pos
sible invasion near Boston.
How many roads on Cape Anne ?
IT told him there was one highwa,
and one railway.
"'There ought to be 200 highways,
he replied.
WHY
Then the farmers could get IN Their,
with their guns and drive back tn,
Germans"
II could not convince him that far
mers raw to the use of fire arms coult
not Withstand trained soldiers armed
with the most modern equipment.
Il argued that even the Panams