The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-07-17
FORD EXPLAINS :
world FLApy
Manufacturer Again QuiS,9d
in Libel Suit

MOUNT CLEMENS. Mich, JuIy|
17.-Henry Ford's international flag
was a myth. the automobile manu-.
facturer claimed today. Recalled tol
the stand in his million-dollar libcf'
suit against the Chicago Tribune. !
Ford was qulzzed sharply on alleged
remarks concerning "A universal flag,l
patriotism and the American flag.
did you ever say you were goingj
TO pull down the stars and stripcs4
after the war and never raise II AGAIN.
that you were designing a newt
flagf" Attorney Stevenson, for thel
Tribune. asked Ford.
81 don't remember making such nj
remark. 1 never saw the flag until
recently"
Stevenson checked up the testf.l
mony OF Irving Bacon, that he had
worked on flag design about theI
time Of Ford's interview with john
Reed, a magazine writer.
II never saw but one design Of the|
flag and that was a small one Earl
said. 40
The Reed interview came in Nfol
much discussion. r.
II contained the following quote
expressions on which Stevenson was|
expected 10 touch i'm his examinationf
81 wouldn't give nickel for all
the history in the world. thipk|
flags are silly. II the country is rot-j
ten, the flag Is rotten. When this]
war is over that flag will come down.
and be replaced by a flag Of all nal
tons which is being designed in my1
office right now. / don't believe in
preparedness; working men will up
get wars"
Flag Gutrousy
Ford gave way as a witness fo(
Kirkland d. Alexander, Detroit pub-
Lefty man, and was an interested isl
tener TO quotations regarding warl
and war makers. which Alexanderz
said were culled from Conversational
with the automobile manufactured.
Alexander said Fore remarked that
"if the prime ministers. presidents.I
kings and emperors were put IN theI
trenches they could find way I'd
end the war"
Ford. he said. added: Yes. ther}
In no hate in the trenches as USUALLY
tho men who make money out Of fh(
wars are men who start them. AM
we finish them"
"Do you net think Germany has m
suited Belgium" Alexander said h
asked Ford.
mo" was Ford's reply. the viii
ness said. IF Germany had q
done so, England or France Y
have beaten them to it."
Explains Peace Ship
Alexander said Ford express 49,
belief that Germany was ready
peace about the time the peace si
idea was discussed with MIN. and q
that reason he launched his famo
"out Of the trenches by Christina
project.
1--WE would have been in the Fra 4
coPrussian war If we had not had u
war on with England. Ford said. al
cording to Alexander. III
Alexander said Ford told him hlD
peace trip had shown him the Ger
man people and emperor werel foq3
peace. but the people who stated
the war prevented peace" He tai
Ford told him the nation could
accept the pope's terms because
would leave the pope too high.
Two qualified admissions
made by Ford yesterday.
These admissions were: That
was an Ignorant idealist"
That he was a helper TO mum
in 1917.
Ford defined an idealist as
who helps people prosper"
He admitted that in manufac<
ing instruments of war in 1917
was a party to murder" He 4
mated he believed warfare is M
der.
Ford said at the time he Card
on his antipreparedness campai
he thought the United States ha%
army of 10000 or $4,000. -.
did you know where I
were stationed?" Attorney 81
son asked.
NO"
Were there any in Alaska
The witness did not know,
was he sure there were any ID
Philippines.
what were the relations Of P
Rico with the United States?" as
Stevenson.
The judge stopped the attorn
before Ford could answer.
"But / submit your honor, til
we have the right 10 test this mai
of the standards OF
possessed by the avera
man. He aspired to be Unit
States senator. He was an ed
cator of the people,
81 could find man in five mi
ltes to answer them" volunteer
Ford.
But can you~find one to tellxyf u
now to be United States senate
That is a dirty slur," said +
orney Lucking, for the plaintiff