Evening star., 1923-12-07
ASKS 3-yEAR TERM
FOR LIEUT.. GR|FF|S
Prosecutor Urges Lighter
Sentences for Others in At.
tempt to Kidnap BergdoII.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
MOSBACH. Baden. December IA
sentence of three years for Corliss
Hooven Griffis of Hamilton, Ohio, was
recommended today by States Attorney
Nebel for the attempt to kidnap
Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, American
draft evader
Nebel also urged three years for Karl
sperber of Paris, one year for the
Russian Prince Faust Gagarin and six
months for Eugene Victor Nelson of
Chicago.
BergdoHs counsel contended these
terms were insufficient punishment and
especially for Griftis and Nelson.
Nebel contended that the United
States government was largely respon-
she for the attempts to remove Berg
ION that it would be wise IL the Aneri-
cans, IN the interest of peace. aban-
doned this everlasting manhunt" for
6ersdolL He asserted Germany's
soVereignty had been violated. and that
me Americans had taken advantage of
Germany's position. as she was weak
ana virtually down and out.
II the American government de-
sires the extradition of Bergdoll. why
does 1t not take steps through the
proper channels?" the attorney ask ed
He declared Griffis and his fellow de-
fendants should thank their lucky
stars. and the Eberbach police that
they were not lynched on the night of
August 10 by mob of infuriated
citizens.
Legion Is Absolved.
Testifying in his own behalf. Lieut..
Cliffs asserted that he was the prime
mover in the plot to capture and take
Rer6doll back to the United States
The American Legion had no knowI-
edge of the attempt. but numerous
american officers in Paris were aware
of 1t.
Griff1s was called az the first wit
ness because, in accordance with Ger
man procedure. the defense always
prosecutor introduces his. In the
course of his testimony Griffis ex-
planned that the American draft sys-
tenn was by number, and he said the
man who had taken Bergdolrs num-
Der was killed.
This explanation interested the
court Presiding Judge Kurzmann
frequently had asked questions, and
one of these was whether the man
who actually replaced Bergdoll in the
Army had met death.
Patriotism Only Motive.
In declaring that he had worked for
purely patriotic motives, Griffis as
serted that he had expected no re-
ward from the capture of the draft
evader.
report that Ike Stecher, formerly
of Philadelphia, who acted as Berg
dolls chauffeur when BergdolI fed
the United States, would kidnap Grif-
MS reached the court today through
the attorney for Griffis. Judge Kurz-
mann then called Bergdoll's uncle
Carl Bohrmann. into court and eau
TONED him that if Bergdoll and his
friends attempted any injury to Grif-
fs they would be dealt with severely
by the court
Judge kurzmann asked Griffs why,
after the war had been ended five
years. the Americans still insisted on
BergdolfS returning and facing trial,
declaring, Time eliminates every
thfng-even the hatreds of war"
Time never will eliminate the feel
ings of Americans in the BergdolI
case, replied Griffis who then
launched into detailed story OF
Bergdolis flight and the wrath
aroused among the people He told
of insults later offered the United
States government and the American
people generally by BergdoIl, who, he
said, escaped by the use of his wealth