GERMAN COURT SCANDAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 19

GERMAN COURT SCANDAL

CONVICTION OF HERR HARDEN.

- BERLIN, January 1. Herr Iseribxel, on .behalf \6i the prosecution; clainied that Herr Harden had not' presented' a shSed qf, evidence against?" Count yon Moltke's honour. The present trial also demonstrated -the baselessness of tne evidence against Coimt; Eulenburg. While admitting that Herr Harden thought that" he was serving the 'public interest, he had Teally done immeasurable harm, to the country. Herr Isenbrel, in concluding his address, demanded that a sentence of four months' imprisonment should be imposed, that Herr Harden^ should make^a public retraction "of his statements, and that he should be ordered to pay the costs of both, trials. -.

Herr Bernskein, leading .counsel for Herr Harden, in the course of a courteous speech, pleaded the .entire absence -.of malice on the part of his client, who had no reason to doubt- the truth of the statements of Frau - Elbe (the divorced wife of "Count yon Moltke).' He 'further •urged that a fine would be sufficient to meet the case, if 'his" client were not allowed the benefit of the paragraph" in hie pleadings concerning the safeguarding of legitimate interests. * ' ' January 3. The' prosecution of .Herr Harden,- editoi' and proprietor of, the Zukunft, has ended in his conviction of the charge qf libelling Count K. yon Moltke, and being sentenced to four months' imprisonment. The president of the court declared that Count yon Moltke emerged unstained, 'and that nothing had been' proved against Prince Eulenberg. The Minister of War has appealed to Counts Lynar and William HohermT to return and stand their trial for the sakeof their honour, of Germany, and of their families. January 4. The Times refers to the public proseoutor's strange omission to proceed against Herr Harden until the close of the private action, which, it * declares, requires explanation. . Herr Harden appeals to .the Supreme divrrvl. ■ l