Evening star., 1944-06-07
IGissibI Denies Bund
Plotted Overthrow Of
III. 5. Government
By CARTER BROOKE JONES.

There was no conspiracy between
the German-American Bund or its
predecessors and the 20 defendants
in the sedition case to overthrow
the United States Government by
violence, but I'VE had a different
way" Peter Gissibl, formerly lead
ing bundist, testified in District
Court today.
Under cross-examination, Gissibl,
an important Government witness,
explained:
"We had a different way of getting
our propaganda in. We never spoke
openly of overthrowing the Govern
ment. We were spreading the phi
losophy Of national socialism, with
view of changing the Government
within the Constitution. We wanted
to create favorable atmosphere
toward Germany"
Replies to Attorney.
Gissibl gave this reply when asked
by, Maximilian j. st. George. q de-
Tense attorney, 3tg the German
American societies conspired with
any of the defendants to overthrow
the Government. u st,a
sGssibl admitted, that .hefpre the
trial he had not known Mr.. st.
George's client, Joseph e. McWil-
lianas, described by the Government
as organizer Of the Christian Mo-
bilizers and leader In the alleged
plot to incite mutiny in the armed
forces.
McWilliams was asked to stand.
DO you know Of any conspiracy
that Mr.. McWilhams took part in to
undermine the loyalty of the armed
forces and overthrow the Govern
ment?" the attorney demanded.
mo, do not"
How did you happens to testify
In this case?" Mr.. st. George asked.
Asked to Testify.
II was approached by the United
States attorney" said the witness.
What United States attorney?"
Glssibl named Chief Prosecutor
%. John Rogge and Prosecutor
Joseph w. Burns. He said he went
from Chicago to New York, under
subpoena, to talk to these repre-
sentatives OF the Justice Depart
ment.
Were you offered or promised
immunity"
No, I was not"
Gissibl said he testified before
the special district grand Jury which
investigated the sedition case
How many times have you testi-
hed in court for the Government"
asked Mr.. st. George.
Testified II Times,
Seventeen times" the witness
said.
Most of these were denaturaliza-
ton trials, he recalled.
Ten of these proceedings were
held in 1943 in various cities. he
admitted in reply to further uues-
tions. In one such case. tried in
San Francisco, there were Is de-
PENDANTS.
Chief Justice Edward c. Eicher
sustained Government objections to
allowing Gissibl to tell the outcome
of these cases.
The close of GissibTs direct testi-
mony, just before adjournment yes-
terday, brought a momentary up-
roar, quelled with a heavy blow
from the judicial gavel, as Chief
Justice Eicher overruled concerted
and repeated defense objections to
a conversation the witness said he
mad with his brother in 1885.
Finally allowed to give the SUBJ
stance of the talk, Gissibl said: INV
brother told me that activities of
German nationals in the Friends of
New Germany had caused embar-
raSsment to the German govern
ment and the German Embassy in
washington. Nevertheless. he told
me, it was all right with the govern
ment II our nationals carried on
thelr activities, not as active mem
oers OF the society, but as an or
ganization within 1t, the Prospective
Citizens League"