New-York tribune., 1919-07-16
1t Covenant Does Not In.
sure Peace He Favors
preparedness to the
Hilt'' by United States
Is Witness i'm
His Libel Suit
Thinks Professional Sol.
diers ''Murderers''; His.
tory Is ''Bunk'' to Him

A great change has come over Henry
Ford's view of international relations
since he blossomed out as q pacifist
propagandist in 1915, for now, accord
ing to his testimony in his 81 900, 900
libel suit against "The Chicago Daily
Tribune" he favors another great war
without delay if the present plan for
league of nations fails.
The Henry Ford who, in 1916, was
opposing the sending of the National
Guard to the Mexican border and urg-
ing the United States to take the lead
in disarmament, asserted to-day that
he is now for preparedness to the
hilt" if it appears that this new war is
necessary. He took the position, as a
witness, that now is the time to estab-
lish universal peace, and that if the
great war which ceased in the field
last November does not result in a
league which will assure that peace
there can be no better time than the
present TO renew the strife.
Brotherhood Flag Produced
Outstanding features of the day
were:
Production of the "Aag of hu-
manity," or world brotherhood"
flag constructed by Ford employees
without authorization by Mr.. Ford,
but inspired, apparently, by one of
his utterances.
Mr.. Ford's admission that he still
considers wars of aggression as mur-
der, and professional soldiers, not
even excepting General Grant and
General Pershing, as murderers
His rciteration that to him history
was so much '"bunh" and an admis-
sion that on many subjects he was
ignorant, although he did not con-
slider himself an ignorant idealist,"
as charged by "The Tribune" in the
alleged libelous editorial of June 23,
1916, headed "Ford rs an Anarchist"
His statement that when a war is
unavoidable conscription is the fair
est method of obtaining an army.
Soon after Mr.. Ford resumed the wit
ne IS stand to-day the mysterious "f1ag
Of humanity" which Attorney Elliott
G. Stevenson, Of "The Tribune's" bat
terry Of attorneys has been demanding
ever since the case began, made its
first appearance in court.
Dodges Flag Question
ut is the first time l ever saw it,"
remarked Mr.. Ford
"Do you like it better than the Stars
and Stripes?" asked Mr.. Stevenson.
ITS different kind Of flag" an
swered the witness.
The flag was about by Ia feet, with
the earth in white on blue field. Mr..
Stevenson was attempting to show it
to the jury when Mr. Ford took hold
of one end and said "I'll help you"
The emblem, designed to typify world
brotherhood, is said to have grown out
of remark by Mr.. Ford three or four
years ago, when he said that all ma
tional flags should be succeeded by
flag of humanity, under which all men
of all nations might stand.
Up to to-day counsel for Mr. Ford
denied the existence of such a flag.
but said a search for it was being
prosecuted. Last week Attorney
Stevenson said that his information
was that the flag had been brought
to Mount Clemens and had disap-
peared.
"Where was it found?" asked Mr.
Stevenson.
II don't know" said Mr.. Ford.
Sent Out Pacifist Arguments
Attorney Stevenson introduced a
pamphlet containing paclfist argu-
ments, which witness admitted was
widely distributed at his expense in
1916.
Mr.. Stevenson quoted Mr. Ford as
saying preparedness is the root Of
war
THAT meant overprcparedness, said
Mr.. Ford.
What do you mean when you say
that war is murder?"
War of aggression"
"And those who urge preparedness
advocate murder?"
"Overprepa paredness-y
Witness said that sane preparedness
for defence was legitimate. He had no
quarrel with it.
The lawyer quoted from the peace
pamphlet wherein Mr.. Ford advocated
disarmament, and asked if in 1915 Mr.
Ford was opposing any preparedness
whatsoever.
"Yes," admitted the witness.
"'Let us disarm and the world will
follow" Mr.. Stevenson read from the
booklet.
THAT was good plan" said the
manufacturer.
Attorney Alfred Lucking. of counsel
for the plaintiff, entered frequent OBJ
jections. He asserted that Mr.. Steven
son should not pick out stray phrases,
but should give the entire articles
when he read from the pamphlet.
"Mr. Ford never advocated anything
Continued on page fire