The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-20
GERARD OPPOSES IN
FORDLIBEL ACTION
Former Envoy Shows "ehicago
Tribune" Was Free From
Pro-German Taint.
COUNSEL STILL ARGUING
Wife Of Editor Mccormick Or
dered Won BernstOrff Not
to Visit Her Home.
Special Despdtch 10 THn srn.


MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich, May 19.-The
trial OF Henry Ford's million dollar libel
SUIT against the Chicago Tribune went
INTO Its second week without a witness
being heard, either to prove the publ
cation OF the alleged libelous article, to
show either It's truth or falsity or to set
forth the broad backgrounds Of national
conditions at the time of the Mexican
border trouble in 1916. which are used
by the Tribune as justification for call
Ing the automobile builder an anarchist
Weymouth Kirkland. counsel for the
defense. finished his address to the jury
to-day ana the twelve men were ex-
cused until tomorrow morning.
The attorneys argued this afternoon
whether the Ford attorneys brief. seek
ing to limit the scope of testimony. shall
be admitted. Horace Kent, Tenney of
Chicago, counsel for the defense, argued
the case.
Former Ambassador Gerard, II was
shown to-day. Is to be a witness in behalf
OF the Chicago Tribune. Mr.. Gerard will
not be present in person, but will give his
testimony in a deposition which has
been taken in New York.
When Mr.. kirkland OF the Tribune
counsel resumed his address to the jury
this morning he announced that the tes-
timony of Mr.. Gerard would be offered
to disprove the statement OF the Ford
counsel that the Tribune was pro-Ger-
man. He declared that the newspapers
editorials would be offered as evidence to
show that the Tribune was bitterly OPP
posed to putting an embargo on the ship
ment Of food and munitions to the ALLIES,
as the German Government demanded of
this country.
Mr.. Kirkland also replied to the state
ments made by MIR. Murphy that the
Tribune was acting In the interests of
the Standard OIL Company. which advo-
Gated Intervention in Mexico. He de-
clared this preposterous in view OF the
fact that the Tribune pr aised Judge Ian
dis for imposing fine of $29, 900, 900 on
the Standard OIL Company and COM
mented regretfully on the fact that the
Court Of Appeals reversed the decision
and urged laws that would prevent the
Standard OIL Company from continuing
its practices.
Anront for Won Bernstornn.
Replying to the charge Of Mr.. Murphy
that former Ambassador Won Bernstorff
was a caller at the homo of Mrs McCor-
mick in Washington. Mr.. Kirkland said
he would show that fifteen months be-
fore the country broke Off relations with
Germany. Mrs. Mccormick ordered Won
peihstoii " Slay away iroH1 ner mouse,
and that at that time she received and
entertained the British, French and
Italian ambassadors In her home
Mr.. Kirkland declared that the Tribune
printed ono Of Mr.. Fordts advertisements
urging that this country keep out of the
war. and then announced In the same
issue Of the paper that II would give
the sSs7 check sent in payment for the
advertiser ent to the Navy League. That,
said Mr. Kirkland. was the reason Mr..
Ford sued the Tribune and not other
papers which printed similar comments.
Another day will be devoted TO hecid-
Ing what testimony will or will not be
admitted.