The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-23


States has demanded of Germany the
surrender of Grover Cleveland Berg
doll, wealthy Philadelphia draft
dodger. and the release from prison of
two Americans who recently at
tempted to capture Bergdoll, it was
learned today on official authority.
The surrender of the American has
been asked in representations to the
German government thru the state de-
partment and also thru Maj. Cen.
Henry T. Allen, commander of the
American army of occupation in Ger
many. Correspondence is being car
ried on now with Germany for the re-
lease of the Americans, it is under
stood, but the negotiations have not
yet been concluded.
The Harding administration is un-
derstood to be determined to secure
the release of the Americans, but
whether Bergdon himself will be de-
manded is not yet known.
Bergdou Not Satisfied.
Bergdon is not satisfied with the
penal sentence imposed He boasted
to his German friends that he would
put up the Americans where the dogs
wouldn't bark at them for five years.
Neuf and thinner escaped too light
ly. according to BergdolI. "Still," said
the deserter, we've shown those guys
they can't pull that stuff in this coun-
try
Bergdolfs limousine, chauffeured
by waX-moustached. German ex-
sergeant, was the object of a mild ova-
ton as it rolled thru the quiet streets
of the Baden town. Bergdoll has
capitalized his popularity by getting
appointed a district food administra-
tor
Tried to Get Stacker.
Mosbach, Germany, March 2S.-Two
American detectives connected with
United States military forces were
sentenced today to serve terms in a
German prison.
They were convicted in a German
court on the evidence of German Wit
nesses of attempting to kidnap Grover
Cleveland Bergdoll, American Stacker.
Carl Neuff and Franz thinner, the
detectives, were charged with illegally
assuming the power of police officers.
Neuff was sentenced to fifteen
months imprisonment on the addi-
tiona1 charge that he shot and wound
ed a German girl in Bergdolrs car.
thinner was given six months.
Defended by American Legion.
The men were defended by lawyers
hired by the American Legion. Berg
doll himself was witness. He told d
halting story and so clearly contra
dicted himself that the presiding Judge
finally warned him of the StrictneSs
of the German perjury laws. While
the American draft dodger was on the
stand, the hostility of the crowd to-
ward the two detectives was shown by
its remarks.
Il
teristic remarks were heard. A police
man, who called one of the defense
lawyers "a dirty dog" was mildly re-
buked by the judge.
Kisses were frequent and officers OF
the court made little effort to quell the
demonstrations. Several American:
from the army of occupation who ap
peared as witnesses met the same hos
tility as the two prisoners. Bergdol
was mercilessly arraigned by lawyers
for the detectives. Even German:
regard a Stacker as despicable," they
declared. Four Germans who assisted
the two Americans in their attempt t
arrest the draft dodger were sentenced
from six to eleven months imprison
ment.
Law violation Is Charge.
In passing sentence on Neuf. tn,
German court declared the American
detective was aware that aside from
the charge of deSertion no other in
dictment was pending against Berg
doll, but that nevertheless the detec
tive had attempted to arrest Bergdol
without the cooperation of the Ger
man police and take him into the oc
cupied area. attic Neuf was awar
that such a proceedings constituted al
illegal assumption of authority in un
occupied Germany. The use of
weapon declared the court. consti
tuted negligent infliction of bodil
: injury
The penalty upon Neuf was fixed a
fifteen months in Jail. the court said
because the detectives conduct consti
? tuted "a gross breach of the law an
? an invasion of the rights of the Ger
man authorities"
The other defendants were guilty
the court added, because they kney
their acts were not permissible an
were punishable under the crimina
code. The six defendants were as
sessed the costs of the trial. Each o
on 51fI