THE CHARGES AGAINST
WILLIAM Q. JUDGE
[II]
EDITOR Irish Theosophist:
A long and sustained attack has been made on me and charges have been
brought forward by Mrs. Besant, and in The Westminster Gazette, which
it is thought I should reply to more fully than I have as yet. A very good and
decisive reason exists for my not making that full reply and explanation, and
it is time Theosophist should know it. It is as follows:
I have not been furnished with copies of the documentary evidence by which
the charges are said to be supported. These documents - being letters written
by myself and some of them ten years old - have been in the possession of Mrs.
Besant from about February, 1894, to July 19th, 1894, and open enemies of mine
have been allowed to make copies of them, and also to take facsimiles, but they
have been kept from me, although I have demanded and should have them. It must
be obvious to all fair-minded persons that it is impossible for me to make a
full and definite reply to charges without having certified copies of those
documents.
I arrived in London July 4th, 1894, and constantly, each day, asked for the
copies and for an inspection of the papers. Mrs. Besant promised both, but
never performed her promise. The proceedings and the Convention closed July
13th, and for six days thereafter I daily asked for the copies and inspection,
getting the same promise with the same failure, until July 19th, when I
peremptorily demanded them. Mrs. Besant then said she had just given them to
Colonel Olcott, to whom I at once applied. He said he had sent them all to
India. I at once told this to Mrs. Besant, saying I would give the facts to the
daily papers, whereupon she went to Colonel Olcott, who said he had made a
mistake as they were in his box. He then - I being in a hurry to leave from
Liverpool on the 21st - let me hastily see the papers in Dr. Buck's presence,
promising to send me copies. I had time to copy only two or three short
letters. He has never fulfilled that promise.
These facts the members should know, as they ought at last to understand
the animus under the prosecution. I shall not reply until I have full certified
copies. It would seem that I am in this matter entitled to as much opportunity
and consideration as my open enemies have had.
Yours,
William Q. Judge
New York, Jan. 25th, 1895
The Irish Theosophist
February 15, 1895
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