THE GERMAN PROFESSOR AND THE WAR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10608, 5 June 1920, Page 8

THE GERMAN PROFESSOR AND THE WAR

The libel case Professor George von Zedlitz v. the "New Zealand Times" Co.. Ltd.. was heard at the Supreme Court yesterday before His Honour Mr Justice Edwards and a jury of twelve. Mr C. P. Skerrett, K.C., with him Mr T. C. A. Hislop, appeared for tho plaintiff; and Sir J ohm Findlay, K.C., with him Mr W. Perry, for the defendant. - o

Tho following were the names of the jury sworn in:—Messrs Albert Ohristenson (foreman), William Stewart King, Frank CotteU. Bertram Richard Greeks, James Sandford, Andrew McCutchoon, Joseph William Skinner, John Ireland, Herbert Henry Smith, NValter Sydney Brown, Georgo Henry Coleman, and Owen George Iracey. The amended statement of claim put in stated, inter alia, (that."On the '29th of July, 1919, the defendant falsely and maliciously printed and published id the .'New Zealand Times' a letter containing the following words of and concerning the plaintiff:—

'ln 1914, the German alien enemy on the Victoria College staff was arrested for a breach of the War Eegulatiohs. and was released by one of our Ministers as a German alien enemy prisoner on parole, and, although such, was reinstated by the council, which declined a proffered resignation.' "The said words mean that the plaintiff had comitted a breach of the vVar Regulations and been arrested therefor.

"On the aforesaid 29th day of July, 1919, in tlie aforesaid letter the defendant printed and published in the 'New Zealand Times' of and concerning the plaintiff the further words following : 'The munificent compensation for

an alien enemy—declared to be a prisoner of war —for a punishable of- - fence against the realm, by the Vio ■?■ toria College Council at the public expense, contrasts strangely with the conditions under which our, soldiers are treated, after' years of service, hard) fighting, and suffering, on their discharge.' "The said words meant that the plaintiff had committed an offence against the realm punishable by imprisonment and had. been declared a prisoner of war for such offence.'' : :"The plaintiff," continued the statement of claim, "has suffered great' damage by the allegations aforesaid. Wherefore the plaintiff claims damages £-1000."

The srtatement of defence denied the in paragraph one of tho statement of claim—" The plaintiff is a professor of languages residing in the City of Wellington under the protection of His Majesty the King"; and denied also the allegations set forth in the paragraphs above quoted.