New-York tribune., 1919-07-18
Thinks National Drinks of
France and Germany
Led to Suspicious of
Each Other, He Says
Calls Himself
Arch-Murderer
Admits Home Cost Over
Million; How Much, He
Doesn't Want to Know

MOUNT CLEMENS. Mich, July IT,
Henry Ford, making his fourth con-
secutive appearance as witness in his
S1,000,000 libel suit against "The Chi
cago Tribune" expressed the opinion
to-day that the Frenchman's wine and
the Germans beer helped to precipitate
the great war. He explained that their
national drinks made France and Ger
many suspicious of each other
Mr.. Ford also revealed that he
doesn't know what his family residence
cost. He didn't want to know, and he
had requested that the price be not
in a class higher than "a million dollar
house."
A magazine article by John Reed
presenting Mr.. Ford as "The Miracle
Maker" and giving his purported
views on patriotic subjects was the
subject of questions when the witness
was asked:
did you say the munitions makers,
the milltarists and the crooked politi-
clans Of the United States use flags to
get people excited when they want to
fool them'?"
~ may have said that" was his re-
rly. ~ have said it before. Yes, sir"
Accomplice of Murderers
Again he stood by the assertion that
he was ar Accomplice Of murderers
but he varied his words little In re-
sponse to the question, Didn't you say
yesterday that you were murderer r
yourself in 1917" he answered.:
AN apostle of murder; murder
helper"
Court had been in session nearly
three hours before Henry Ford re-
sumed the witness stand. The opening
hours were consumed with testimony
by Kirk B. Alexander and the read
ing of magazine article on Mr.. Ford
by John Reed in 1916.
"The article says you live in a
million-dollar house." said Attorney
Elliott c. Stevenson, representing
"The Tribune"
"More than that, | think"
"a million and half?"
"Well, l don't really know"
Maybe you don't want to know"
81 told them not to tell me-" said
Mr.. Ford, laughing.
"Mr. Reed paints you as demo
cratic person who loves to sit on g
neighbor's back porch and talk. The
neighbors don't sit on your back
porch, do they? Guards keep them
away, don't they?"
An objection was sustained. Mr.
Ford said that Reed gathered prac
story elsewhere than from the witness
Witness suggested that Reed borrowed
some of it from an article by Henry
A. Wise Wood about disbelief in ma
tional boundaries and proposing a flag
of all people.
Blames War on Alcohol
Mr.. Ford opposed the use of alco
holic drink, and Mr.. Reed pointed ou
that the Germans thrived on beer ane
the French on wine.
the causes of the war" said Mr.. Ford
"How?" asked the lawyer.
at made them suspicious of eacF
other"
nit testimony by Kirk B. Alexander
an advertising agent of Detroit
In December, 1917. he said, he in
terviewed Mr.. Ford at luncheon il
the Ford factory, at which ALFRED
Lucking, Mr.. Ford's attorney, and
man named Smith were present.
"Mr. Ford in the course of genera
conversation said that if Germany hat
not invaded Belgium, France and Eng
land would" related the witness. q
asked him if he thought Germany wa
ready for peace, and he said yes; tha
why he went over in the peace ship
but he was not allowed to see tn
Kaiser"
Witness said that the Ford plan
was selling motors to the governmen
at that time. but Mr.. Ford said it wa
not for profit, and he did not conside
them munitions of war. The converse
ton turned on the defeat of Russi
and that poor people held many of tn
bonds and would suffer.
According to Mr.. Alexander thes
remarks followed:
Mr. Ford-Let them go to work.
Mr.. Lucking-Per many of ther
are sick.
Mr. Ford--Then let them get we'll.
On cross-eXamination by Attorne
Alfred C. Murphy witness recalle
that there was some further talk con
and of Lord Lansdowne
On redirect examination it develope
that Mr.. Alexander handled the famou
Ford advertisement headed "Concerr
ing Preparedness"
81 read it over and noticed that
was signed by Mr. Ford" said the wit
ness. "1 went to him to make sure h
had read it and reminded him that b
his signature he was accepting flu
csponsibility for the sentiments e,
pressed He said he understood tina
The advertisement was printed in
number of prominent papers with
combined circulation of about 1000
OOO.'
Mr. Alexander said that it cost NJ
Ford $50, 900 to publish "Concernin
Preparedness" Humanity and Sanity
Continued on page four