“WAR CRY” LIBEL SUIT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8178, 20 July 1912, Page 11

“WAR CRY” LIBEL SUIT

IRATE DRESDEN SALOON-KEEPERS. BERLIN, June 7. The saloon-keepers of Dresden are bringing a suit against Commissioner W. J. McAlonan, as the responsible editor of the German ‘‘War Cry," for an alleged libel appearing in an article by General Booth, written and published in every country, including Germany, in 1900, and reprinted in the issue of January 6th. Commissioner McAlonan states that the article was directed chiefly against backsliders. General Booth's words are:—"l have been turning over in my mind the various grades of sinners. In the first grade are those who hear the Gospel and are not influenced. The second grade are worse than the first: those who tempt others to evil. Amongst these I would class brothel-keepers, saloon-keepers, and parents who set bad examples to their children. The third grade are worse than either: they are those who, having come under Gospel influence, have accepted it and then fallen away.” The libel, according to the opinion of those bringing the suit, lies in the reference to sinners of the second grade. Commissioner McAlonan has until June 14th to file an answer. He says the recent decision of the Dresden Lower Courts in fining Pastor Burk 250 marks on a similar charge, has apparently encouraged saloon-keepers to bring this suit against him.. The salt against Pastor Burk was due to his having vehemently attacked the evils of strong drink at the meeting of last year's Hygiene Exhibition. The Lower Court’s decision, however, will probably be reversed by a higher.