Evening star., 1949-05-24
EisIer Hearing Delayed
TIL Friday in London
On American Request
by the Associofsd Press


by fbs Assoeioisd Press
LONDON, May 24.-An extra
dition hearing for fugitive Com
munist Gerhard Eisler was post
poned today until Friday at the
request of the United States.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary
Chuter EIDE sent the American re-
QUESTION for Eisler to the Bow
Street Court with IAN order to
proceed" a Home Office source
reported. The informant refused
to say whether this meant Mr..
EIDE had decided Eisler IL not, as
he claims, a political refugees.
Britain considers political re-
fugees exempt from extradition
under the Ang1o-American treaty
of 1870. Mr.. Eide told the House
Of Commons last week he would
halt extradition proceedings If he
reached a conclusion that Eisler
was a genuine political refugee.
More Time Declared Needed.
The Communist leader who fed
the United States while under
sentence on two criminal convic-
tions was brought into Bow Street
Magistrates Court today for a
hearing on the American request
that he be returned to America.
But r. Graham Nav. British
lawyer representing the American
Embassy at the hearing, said the
United States needed more time
to prepare the case against Eisler
Mr.. Nav suggested an eight-day
delay.
Eisler's attorney, Dudley Coilard.
protested that the case should be
heard Immediately.
"It is intolerable that Eisler
should be kept in a British prison
while the United States take their
leisurely preparation Of this case"
he told Magistrate J. F. Eastwood
Bail Refused Again.
The magistrate compromised
on a three-day delay and refused
for the second time to set bail
for Eisler.
He said the question immedi-
ately before the court was
whether to admit Eisler to bail.
He added he would not go into
the merits of the case at this
time and continued:
Here is a gentleman who on
the face Of 1t has been convicted,
released on bail and has disap-
peared from America. AS far as
this court is concerned the mat
ter has been expedited as much
as possible. I don't feel Mr.. Els
Ter has any complaint with the
proceedings which have taken
place so far In this country"
Eisler Watches Intently.
The 52-year-old Communist
wore the same tan suit. now badly
crumbled. as when he was carr
ried bodily from the Polish liner.
Batory 10 days ago. He entered
the prisoners dock quietly and
watched the short court proceed
3ngs intently.
Mr.. Nav said the official Amer
lean request for Eisler's extradi-
tion had arrived in London only9
last night and that he had no
time to make copies before 1t was
handed to the Home Office.
Mr.. Collard said the United
States with its resources" should
have had no difficulties in getting
ready for the case.
1.-THE defense, with It's limited
has been able to pre-
pare its case" he said.
He declared he had copies or
transcripts or photostats of all
in the Eisler case.
I'VE are prepared to demon
strate now that no extradition
offense at all has been committed
by Eisler," Mr.. Collard declared.
"Eisler has never been guilty Of
perjury. He was never charged
with perjury and never convicted.
"The United States has adopted
q policy Of shoot first and ask
questions afterwards
In Prison Eight Days.
The formal American request
for Eisler's return said he was
wanted for making false state
ments under oath.
! Eisler was brought in from
Brixton Prison. where he has
been for the past eight days.
Communist pickets marched In
front of the court building as de-
tectives escorted the German
born fugitive. Other Communists
passed out leaflets demanding
END this persecution.
Mrs. EisIer Charges u. S.