PARTIAL FINDING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 74, 29 March 1933, Page 7

PARTIAL FINDING

' ACCUSED NOT GUILTY

STEWART SOURT-MARTIAL SEVEN CHAEGES STAND

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright,. (Beeoived March 20, 1 p.m.) LONDON, March 28. The Judge Advocate, Mr. Patrick Graeme, C.8.E., summing up in the court-martial on Lieutenant Baillie. Stewart, advised the Court to find Stewart not guilty on three chargos, namely, of attempting to collect, attempting to obtain, and,, attempting to' communicate certain information. Therefore it must try him on charges of collecting, obtaining, and communicating such information. Tho Judge Advocate added that the prosecution- had called no witness who could give direct information on the subject of the inquiry, and therefore 'the Court was compelled to rely on circumstantial evidence. Continuing, the Judge Advocate said that without the letters- the Court would probably hesitate before deciding that tho three visits to Holland entailed treachery, but still the phraseology of the letters was wholly unreal. While Stewart described them as a subterfuge to hide a' discreditable association, tho prosecution1 contended that they contained tho reward of ignominy and were therefore the key to the whole ease. Mr. Graeme" explained that conviction was impossible if the information was accidentally and indiscreetly divulged. Treacherous ! intent must be established. Similarly, the Court must be convinced regarding the charge that. Stewart collected the information for a purpose prejudicial to tho State.

Tho Court was absent for two and a half hours.

On its return, in accordance with tho Judge Advocate's recommendation, it found Stewart not guilty on threo charges. The findings on the remaining seven will be promulgated after referenco to higher authorities.

Stewart, pale and anxious, stood erect while the President, Major-Gene-ral Dugai . read the decision. He then saluted smartly and was removed from the building in custody.