OCR Text |
Show LIBEL ACTION ON IMAGINARY STORY Strict British Law Invoked by Captain Cap-tain Alexander Frederick Stewart. Special Cable to The Tribune. LONDON. Sept. 11. A curious illustration illustra-tion of the strict British libel laws has come up in court here. The plaintiff was Captain Alexander Frederick Stewart of the Indian supply and transport corps of the Indian army. The defendants were the author of a story called "Two Bounders" and an Arab, the editor of a magazine In which it appeared, and the printers. The story referred to an Indian steeplechase steeple-chase and the villain was "Captain Stewart Stew-art of the supply and transport." The plaintiff Is a well-known India steeplechaser. steeple-chaser. The story describes a series of shady transactions on the part of "Captain "Cap-tain Stewart," ending with a deliberate piece of four riding. Tt was stated in court that the matter became so serious for the real captain that the officers of his regiment In India held an official inquiry, which, of course, completely exonerated him. On behalf of the defendants, the fullest regrets and apologies were tendered and It was explained that the author had no idea that he was referring to any real person. He gave the strongest assurances that the story and incidents described had no reference to the plaintiff and were entirely en-tirely Imaginary. Satisfied with this pub- lie explanation, Captain Stewart withdrew the case. |