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Show TO BE TRIED FOR SEDITION. A Young American D. purU for Iterllu to Stand Trial. ' New York, Aug. .3. Among the passengers on the Britannic today was Mr. Joseph J. Jonasson, an American citizen, who is going to Germany to be tried for "sedition'' under the laws of that country. Mr. Jonasson is a son of Meyer Jonasson, the cloak manufacturer. manufac-turer. Last spring, while at a restaurant restau-rant in Berlin one evening, he engaged in a discussion with several strangers as to the comparative merits of this country aud Germany. In tho heat of the discussion, it is alleged, Mr. Jonasson Jonas-son spoke disrespectfully of the young emperor, William II. The expression he is said to have used means, when freely translated, "I cough at the emperor." em-peror." This "seditious language," so called, led to the American's arrest. He was subsequently released upon bail in 5000 marks, and soon afterward returned re-turned to this country. Recently he received word by cablo from his lawyer law-yer in Berlin, requesting him to come to Germany at once. In answer to an inquiry aa to whether he had been iu-dicted'Mr. iu-dicted'Mr. Jonasson was informed that he had been, aud if he failed to appear a writ would be issued, by virtue of which he would be seized and imprisoned impris-oned if he ever ventured again upon German soil. He has decided logo over and be tried. . . , "I am innocent of the charge," said Mr. Jonasson yesterday, "and I am going go-ing over to clear myself, if I can. If I , should fail, why then I suppose I shall have to take my medicine." Mr. Jon-1 asson's medicine would probably be ad-1 ministered in one dose, and will consist of six months' imprisonment in a fortress. fort-ress. "If I were not innocent," he continued, con-tinued, "I certainly would not go oyer, and, as it is. I suppose I run some risk, , as I have no witnesses. I can not tell just what I did sav, but am certain that it was nothing disrespectful. I should ! not recognize my accusers if I were to I meet them agaiu face to face." Four persons, it is said, were present within hearing of Mr. Jonasson at the time in question. Two of them were , students, and the two others were wo-, men, all of whom will probably be wit-. nesses when tho case comes to trial. |