Evening star., 1933-11-14
Greek Courts Are Condemned
As America Assails Treaty

DiSapproval of the action Of the Greek
courts in blocking the request of the
United States for extradition OF Samuel
insult Is voiced in this country as the
United States takes steps for termi-
nation of the treaty governing such
cases between the two nations. 1t is
maintained that under the extradition
pact the courts of Greece should have
granted the request without the taking
Of evidence in the case. The treaty is
interpreted as requiring only the state
ment OF the nature of the charges.
THE Greek government" comments
the Charlotte Observer, would rather
hold the refugee than retain friendly
relations with the United States Gov
ernment. In view Of the Greek decision
in the case, what would be the sense in
the United States Government main
tanning an extraditiOn treaty with that
government. None whatever, so our
Government has decided to abrogate
the existing treaty at the earliest date
possible-tO end farce OF maintaining
treaty relations with a government that
scorns it when the test comes. The
fat disregard Of the treaty by Greece
in the case Of insult Is In itself suffi-
eient defense for ending the treaty by
our Government. It was intended to
meet Just such cases as that of insult
and to give Greece protection from the
very error into which she fell. There is
but one way in handling circumstance
OF the kind, and Washington knows
how"
Pronunciation Of the treaty" &C
cording to the Philadelphia Evening
Bulletin, lis plain notice served on
Greece that this Government regards
the refusal to deliver the accused man
to the American authorities a breach
OF the spirit and even the letter of the
treaty demand for the extradition
OF an accused person does not REQUIRE
to meet the demands of Justice, that
the country sheltertng the man wanted
should formally in effect place him on
trial and determine as to his guilt or
innocence under the indictment before
surrendering him"
Quoting the Greek courts as holding
that the offense of which Insult is
accused Is not punishable under Greek
laws" the Akron Beacon Journal re-
marks that 1T is obvious that citizens
OF Greece have had very little expert
ence with high finance" while the
Roanoke Times, explaining that "the
specific charge is violation Of the bank
ruptcy laws" and observing that "edi-
torial comment in the Greek news
papers was generally favorable to the
defendant" agrees that 1t is "a fair in
ference that Greek editors are not thor
oughly posted on the case" The
Goshen News-Times concludes that the
outcome lis an invitation to others to
seek a haven in Greece"
In defense Of the former utilities
leader, the Rock Island Argus states
that 1t has never been able to see
just what would be gained If he were
obliged to return to this country to
stand trial" That paper recalls that. |
in his time. he was one of Chicago's |
most philanthropic citizens, and his |
benefactions were numerous" and adds, |
we imagine Mr.. insult Is not enjoying |
himself immensely abroad, and If he IS |
guilty Of only half of his alleged Of |
fenses he is probably being punished |
as things are. II people were not so |
ready to invest their money, attracted |
by the lure OF prominent mans name, |
there would be fewer insults and fewer |
tragic losses. 1t Is still possible to make |
money In more conservative ways. The |
profits may be not so large, but the
element Of uncertainty Ia largely mini
mized"
THE judges declared that he was a
victim Of the depression" !" says the Chi |
cago Daily News. Quoting legal opin-
ion from q dean of Northwestern Uni
versity, given to Mr.. insults Chicago
counsel, the Chicago paper says, 'He |
reached the conclusion that the sections
Of the bankruptcy laws invoked by the
United STATE we're null and void be-