Salt Lake Tribune | 1917-11-23 | Page 4 | Brahmin Tells of Plot to Free India

Bl'HIELLSOF PLOT TO FREE INDU Plan Was to Kidnap Loyal Hindus to Raise Money for the Cause. SAN FRAXCTSCO. Nov. 02. How his associates planned to finance, as he alleged, al-leged, a conspiracy to create a military uprising In India by ransoming kidnaped Hindus who were loyal to the Brit ish government, was related today by Suku-mar Suku-mar C'hatterjl, the fist witness called by the United States in the trial of thirty-four thirty-four persons in the so-called Hindu conspiracy con-spiracy plot. , Chatterji, a Brahmin, said the plan was , disclosed in a n address made before a Ka.thurin of Hindus by Ram Chandra, a writer and one of 1 he defendants. "Chandra declared that a plan was Vie-in Vie-in considered whereby a big organisation would be perfected in India to kidnap Hindus who were loyal to the British government," Chatterji said. "With the money secured by ransoms it was hoped the conspiracy against British iule in India, would be financed." The witness admitted knowing "Ram Chandra and also Har Dyal, who fled from San Francisco while on bail1 after I his arrest by the immigration authorities I and who is now believed to be in Switzerland. Switz-erland. While not listed among the de-1 de-1 fendants, Har Dya 1 was characterized as one of the leading spirits in the al- leged conspiracy in Cnited States Attorney At-torney John W. Preston's opening ad-; ad-; dress. v- i "My personal acquaintance with Har 1 Dyal was slight," the witness stated, i "but Iiis idfas were generally known." I In describing the activities that even-I even-I 1 1 tally ltd to his a rrest before he be- came a witness for the government, Cha tterji said : "I was detailed to go to India to incite in-cite t he people, and arouse them. 'When I left San Francisco for Manila, I car- 1 rierl let tors addressed to other Hindus ! there. . I was given a fictitious name with! the title of prince and ?7n0." lie said he was informed men already were in India at that, time engaged iii conspiracy activities. The German government. It was understood, under-stood, according to Chatterji. was to "look out for arms ;.nrl ammunition.'' The' proposed route he was to follow. Chatlerji said, was through Manila, a portion of China. Slam and Burma to a point in northern India. The witness will resume his testimony i tomorrow. 1