THE MARCONI AGREEMENT-

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13735, 29 May 1913, Page 5

THE MARCONI AGREEMENT-

CRIMINAL LIBEL ACTION.

TRIAL OF CECIL CHESTERTON

(Received May 28, 9.15 p.m.) London, May 28

The trial of Cecil Chesterton on a charge of criminal libel, lists commenced.

Mr Herbert Samuel, PostmasterGenoral, testified that the Imperial wireless negotiations did not originate with him, and he did not have any communication with Sir Rufus Isaacs from first to last.

I Mr Herbert Samuel said tho statement in the newspaper "Eye Witness" [that he and Mr Isaacs, the secretary, arranged that the.public should pay a large sum to the Marconi Company was a wicked and childish falsehood. It I was inconceivable, even if a Minister was wrong-headed and dishonest! enough to desire to enter into such a contract, inasmuch as six Government departments had to examine and api prove the terms.

The cause of action against Mr Chesterton, who is tho editor of the newspaper "Eyo Witness," is contained in an article published in that paper in February last, in which Mr Godfrey Isaacs, managing director of tho Marconi Company, was accused of corruptly conspiring in connection with the wireless contract with the AttorneyGeneral and tho Postmaster-General. The three were described as malefacThe article declared that Mr Herbert Samuel, Sir Rufus Isaacs, and Mr Godfrov Isaacs were engaged m a swindle, and were guilty of theft, knavery, and villainy. It also attacked tho relatives of the imrties. ' , r A second article said that when Mr Hofbert Samuel was caught with his hand in the till Marconi shares slumped It also accused Mr Samuel and his cousins of pulling tho wires over the Indian silver contract.