The Washington times., 1920-01-08

the original expeditionsry force
which went TO France under Lord
French. Later he was Frenchs
chief OF stan when In command OF
the home forces In Great Britain.
John Il. Laskey. who with bis assist-
ant, Bolitha j. Laws, Prosecuted
Wan. yesterday challenged the credi-
bility not only OF the testimony OF
the defendant. but OF his brother.
Van, by calling In rebuttsl George o.
Vass and Robert v. Fleming, officillJ
OF the Riggs National Bank, who
identified Van as having presented
the $4,000 forged check at the bank
on January 80. the day after tho
educators were slain.
Detectives Also Reesfs<A
The prosecution also recalled De-
tective scrgesnts Guy E. Burlingame
and Edward J. Kelly, who took tho
brothers into custody after Kang Ia,
student at the George Washington
University. reported the discovery OF
the .tripfe siaying and said he had
seen Wan in the mission house on
the night the educators met their
death.
All OF these witnesses, both in
direct and rebuttal testimony, de-
clared Wan had told them Van never
had been In Washington except when
brought here on February 3 from
New York by Detective Kelly. Van,
they also testified, had declared the
nearest he had ever been to WASH
inston was Baltimore, having passed
through there from Ohio when go
Ing to New York several years ago.
But on the witness stand Van said
he had been in Washington on Janu-
ary 20 and 80. and that on the latter
day he accompanied two strange Chi
nese. men he had never seen before,
to the Riggs Bank. admitting that he
took the check there to have II
cashed. All of these witnesses were
certain of Vans denial that he had
ever been to Washington until
brought here by Kelly. 1t was
through Van that the police first OBJ
tanned an admission from Wan that
he had forged the $1,000 check.
Kelly and Burlingame also. stated
that at FIRST Wan denied sending tele-
grams to his brother, but when con-
fronted with them admitted he had
lied. He said he sent for Van because
he was I'll and needed a nurse.
why didn't you tell the truth
about Van having been in Washing
ton on January 29 and 30 and that
you had sent him two kilograms urg-
ing him to hurry here7" demanded
Laskey when he had Wan under a
searching cross-examination yester-
day.
Wan answered that when he was
questioned by detectives in his room
In New York, at the clinic on Fiji
tecpth street. and at the Dewey Hotel.
he was always excited and confused
that II he made conflicting state
ments. he did not know what he was
doing.
Laskey attempted to impeach much
Of the testimony of the brothers, de-
, clarin9 that statements made by
them, voluntarily. following their ar
rest werc in direct contradiction TO
those made under oath on the witness
| stand. He insisted that the admis-
| sions Of guilt were made through
police suggestion.
"Then you made a suggestive con-
fession-not . voluntary one?" asked
Mr.. Laskey.
Yes a suggestive confession" re-
Joined Wan.
Tells q Accusing W.
Asked why he had accused WI Of
having killed DR.. Wong and c. n.
Hsie, two of the three educators who
| were slain, when the under secretary
| Of the mission was his good friend"
Wan said:
"I told the police I did not kill the
men, but they insisted I did, and
| knew all abuot It They suggested
many things; told me that WI had
a bad character. i thought 1t all out,
and then said i killed WI after he
had killed my friend. DR.. Wong"
Then you placed the blame on WI.
your good friend for years, despite
the fact you did not know he was
guiltyr
Yes"
"DidnY you ten the police that you
| had supper with WI on the night Of
Januasy %. when you left for New
York;
"I said he went to the station and
we had fruit"
you did not know, when you made
| that statement. that WI at that time
was downtown with friends7"
"I don't remember saying it,
tives you left Washington at 8:15 for
| New York when there was no such
| traif7
'Isdon't remember saying that-I
| was so excited, I did not know Just
| what I say"
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