The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-05
O'LEARY EXPLAINS
HIS 'AMERICANISM'
On Stand All Day, Tells How
He Met Nine. Victorica,
Alleged Spy.
SOUGHT DIVORCE, HE SAYS
Former Editor Declares He
Sold Home in Order to Buy
Liberty Bonds.

jeremiah A. O'Leary occupied the CEN
tire Of the stage again yesterday in his
trial before Federal Judge Augustus N.
Hand and q Jury on charges Of viola
ton Of the espionage act, brought as a
result Of articles In his magazine. Bull.
O'Leary was the sole witness again yes
terday and entertained the jury with
explanations Of his own particular brand
OF Americanism and q recital OF facts.
historical and hearsay, that made the
basis OF his opinions.
Toward the close of tho day O'Leary,
In reply to questions from his brother
Arthur, who Is associated in his defence.
said he bought Liberty bonds OF the
FIRST second and, third issues and sold
his home valued at $4,000 to invest
In the bonds Of the fourth loan.
His testimony was important TO his
case yesterday In that Il included his
own account of his meetings and asso-
Citations with Mime. Marie X. de Victor
lea. the Governments chief witness. who
testified that o'Leary had suggested one
Willard ]. Robinson as a suitable person
to carry secret message to German
agents In Holland. Robinson, who Is
under indictment for treason rs a re-
suit. was an earlier witness in the case.
He refused to answer any questions con-
corning the trip under advice Of Willis
Travers Jerome, his counsel.
O'Leary testified yesterday regarding
his meetings with Nine. Victorica. He
said she was first introduced 10 him at
his law office in Park Row by one Emil
kipLer, a client of the defendants. Nine.
Victorica, O'Leary said, represented
herself as a native Of Buenos Ayres who
had been living in New York for about
two years.
Tells How He Met Her.
According to his story the woman
came to consult him in connection with
contemplated litigation about a divorce
shc wanted to get from her husband, an
Argentinan. This conversation occurred
in the early part Of 1917 and at the time
O'Leary said Nine. Victorica told him
she was anxious to meet some lawyer
who would help her. OLeary said the
woman mentioned the names Of Bourke
Cochran and Morgan J. OBrien as law
yers who had been suggested TO her.
Two nights or 30 later. O'Leary said.
he was dining at the Hofbrau House
with his wife and a guest when he saw
the woman again with Ripper and a
stranger. Their party was preparing to
leave when O'Leary and his guests en-
| tered. O'Leary said he exchanged con-
ventioralities with Mime. Victorica and
her friends and directed his chauffeur to
take Nine victorica to her hotel.
Tho next time he saw her, he said.
was when a Miss May Sullivan. whom
he had recommended In response to
| Nine. Victorica's suggestion that she
wanted maid and companion. told him
Nine. Victorica wanted to see him
O'Leary explained It was represented to
him by Miss Sullivan that the Victorica
| woman had a male friend from Buenos
Ayres IN town who could give him nee
| essary information In the matter OF her
| suit for divorce or annulment.
In response to Miss Sullivan's sugges-
| ton O'Leary said he accepted a dinner
| invitation at Nine. Victorica's apartment
| in the Hotel Netherland. but when he
got there the mysterious gentleman from
| Buenos Ayres did not appear. OLeary
| explained that the function was a formal
one as far as he was concerned, that he
| went home and put on his evening
clothes and silk hat and arrived at
| the hotel about 7:4b. He had instructed
| a taxicab chauffeur to call for him again
! at 9 80.
The conversation. the witness said
had all to do with Nine. victorica's case
| in which he thought she displayed little
interest. He made a point of the fact
desk and that his name was telephoned
| up to Mime. victorica's apartment.
| The next and last time he saw the
woman, he said. was a few days later. on
April II when she called at his Office In
| connection with her case after he had
advised her to proceed Immediately II
she wanted any action before the sum-
mer recess of the courts.
Denies Knowledge of Report.
| In reply to questions o'Leary denied
emphatically that he had ever INTRODUCED
Robinson to Mime. victorica or that he
had ever been present at Hofrman's Inn
when Robinson Is alleged to have made
| Of his trip abroad. He denied even know.
| ing of the location or existence OF the re-
sort referred to by the Government
! chief witness
| Before his references to Nine Victories
| OLeary spent long time in further ex-
plantations OF his attitude on public ques-
| lions and his principles Of patriotism. He
| said:
| THE fact that practically every male
| relative OF mine OF military age went tc
war convinces me that Bun was not q
deterrent, but rather a stimulant to en-
| listment."
| ne utcCflUou nu1bcli AZ II
| Democrat and explained that his auto
graphed inscription on a copy OF hi
| book, THE Fable of John Bull and incl,
SAM" which he presented to Adolpt
Pavenstedt, who was interned as ar
enemy alien as a result of disclosure:
concerning German propaganda here wa,
| written before Americas entry In tn,
war and at a time when he wrote similar
rrscriptions-'o pe1sorls who had assisted
H. the Irish movements In America.
OTAary explained that when he wen
voluntarily before the Federal Crane
Jury in connection with its investigation
of Bull he offered to change the name o.
the publication to Uncle Sam, but added
that the suggestion did not appear to b
entirely satisfactory to United StateI
Attorney Caffey and his assistants.
Because of the threatened illness o.
Ernest r. Hunter, 1c6 East Seventeenth
street. foreman OF the jury. Judge HanC
adjourned the casa until tomorrow
morning.
GETTING INCOME TAX DATA.
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