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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 1918)
THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE: FEBRUARY 17. 1918. 15 A FAKE NOBLEMAN TRICKED IN FRAUD INVOLVING HUGE 50 MILLION. MORGAN LOAN Negotiations Involving State Department Revealed By Arrest of Telephone Operator Who Masqueraded As Confidential Representative to King of Spain; Duped Prominent Actress. By Associated, Press.) New York, Feb. 16. How a $15 a week telephone opera tor, posing as "his excellency, the Marquis Edmond Rousselot Di Castillot, confidential representative of His Majesty, King Al fonso XIII, of Spain," opened negotiations with the banking house of J. P. Morgan and company for a loan of $50,000,000 to Spain and, by promising that Spain would enter the war on the side of the entente allies, brought the State department into the matter was revealed in the federal court here today, when three indictments were returned against Edmond Rousselot, un der the espionage law. ARRESTED ON OTHER CHARGE0 Rousselot was pressing hts plan for the loan when chance caused his ar rest on another charge and his castle in Spain quickly toppled. William Pierson Hamilton, of the Morgan house, was foreman of the grand jury which returned the indict ments and was familiar with the en tire transaction, because he was the member of the firm to whom the mat ter was entrusted. When the subject of the loan was broached to the bank by Rousse lot, who had been properly intro duced by W. E. D. Stokes of New York City, the bank Immediately com municated, with Secretary Lansing, who oDoosed the loan to the Spanish government through an individual and suggested that it be taken up tnrougn the regular channels. Rousselot objected to this method of procedure, explaining that the loan was to be made personally to King Alfonso, and it was because or this secret arrangement he could promise that Spain was to join the entente allies. The negotiations were still under way and Mr. Hamilton had the mat ter tinder consideration, when Rous selot, about three weeks ago, was ar rested on the charge of falsely repre senting himself as "Count Rousselot," a French diplomat here on a secret mission, and being unable to obtain bail was sent to jail. This led to in quiry and the whole affair was laid before the grand jury. Duped a Woman. It developed that Rousselot had not confined his operations to banking houses, but numbered among his con fiding friends one woman from whom he had borrowed $10,000 on oil stocks of doubtful value, but for th re demption of which he had pledged his "ancentral estates." Another of his friends was a promi nent actress, who told the authorities she had been introduced to "Count Rousselot" and believing him to be in the French diplomatic service had visited an English warship in the harbor with him. As his credentials were well covered with seals which seemed to be all right, they were taken over the ship, and shown every courtesy, she said. Life of Luxury. Rousselot established himself in a suite in a fashionable hotel and there received many letters which are de scribed as being covered with crests and seals and addressed to him as "Marquis," "Count," and "King's Mes senger." . These documents, when examined by the authorities, proved to be let ters apparently written by himself. One of them, purporting to have come from the king of Spain, bore a large red seal impressed by the stamp of the commissioner of deeds of West Chester county, New York. He also had a rubber stamp bearing the words "Ministre De La Guerrere," which, the authorities allege, he used while posing as a French diplomat. When representing himself as the agent of the king of Spain, he used a crest cut from the advertising of a leading furrier, they declared. A little later. Rousselot moved to the Hotel Ansonia, where he told Mr. Stokes, the owner, that he was King Alfonso s confidential agent in this country and in support of his state ment displayed his collection of "credentials." He further explained that he expected a visit from Jules .Tusserand, the French ambassador, but did not have the necessary funds to entertain him. Mr. Stokes advanced him $500 and one of the indictments lias to do with this transaction. From this conversation Rousselot succeeded in having Mr. Stokes introduce him to the Morgan firm. Another indictment charges Rous selot with forging a government license permitting him to visit all war ships, and still another alleges the theft of official note paper of the Treasury department. Appeal Case of Alleged Birth Control Propagandist Washington, D. C, Feb. 16. An appeal to the supreme court was to day granted by Justice Brandeis in the case of Margaret H. Sanger, con victed in New York of violating a slate law by conducting a birth con trol propoganda. She was sentenced to serve 30 days in the workhouse No date for hearing arguments in the case has been fixed. BRITON ADVANCES PLAN FOR LEAGUE OF ALL NATIONS Lord Robert Cecil Declares Allies Form Suitable Nucleus; Looks for Disarmament as Final Result. (By Associated Press.) London, Feb. 16. Lord Robert Cecil, minister of blockade, who an nounced in the House of Commons recently that he himself had prepared a plan for a league of nations, dis cussed the whole problem today. Whife declining to give a detailed outline of his plan, which, with oth ers now is engaging the consideration of the British government, he indi cated a number of conclusions to which his study of the problem had led him. "The first and most important mat ter to be insured by any adequate league of nations," said Lord Robert, "is that no nation shall go to war un til the matter in dispute has been sub mitted to international consideration. If at first thet league of nations gets no further tha'n this it will be worth while and a beginning would be made from which wider developments are possible in due course." May Restrict Memberships. A second point he emphasized was that, while for an ideal league it would be necessary to have all nations of the world as members, "it may be found necessary to begin with a more restricted membership." In reply to a question, he declared that even the members of the present entente group, with a few additions, would form an adequate nucleus, al though he hoped for a much wider membership. He declared Great Britain could be counted upon as a firm supporter of any adequate scheme for a league of nations, and the wider the scope, the better it would please him. Economic Weapon Useful. Lord Robert declared himself con vinced the economic weapon would prove a most useful arm for the en forcement of the league's decrees. Asked regarding disarmament, he said that disarmament is difficult to bring about at present, but he was certain it would follow as a natural sequence the successful formation of a league of nations. "One thing that greatly promises success for the league of nations idea," said Lord Robert, "is that the world for the first time in history is prepared to give it favorable consid eration. Until the outbreak of this war, public opinion, internationally speaking, was never favorable. That now has been changed and there will be a vehement desire on all sides at the close of this war to consider seri ously every proposal that promises to prevent any such struggle occurring again." More Tuscania Dead Are Reported to War Department Washington, Feb. 16. Eighty-two names of known dead among the American soldiers who were on board the torpedoed liner Tuscania were re ceived" by cable tonight at the War department. The names of 10 unre ported dead: CORPORAL CLEA BARGF.R STOCK, Marienville, Ta. PRIVATE RUSSELL F. BEN NETT, Plainfield, Wis. PRIVATE FRANKLIN A. CHURCH. Providence, R. I. PRIVATE WILLIAM A. DIN TER, Cuero, Tex. PRIVATE ROY W. MAY, Lin dale, Tex. PRIVATE HENRY OXFORD. Turnesville, Tex. PRIVATE OTTO RAY, Cole man, Tex. PRIVATE JAMES F. SPARK MAN, Frisco, Tex. PRIVATE BELL M. WILLIAMS, Glenwood, Ark. PRIVATE JAMES C. WOOD, Yantis. Tex. WE HAVE BOUGHT AT 30TH AND SPRAGUE STREETS FOUR ACRES We Will Build At Once A CONCRETE FIREPROOF FACTORY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF DOUGLAS 8-CYLINDER PASSENGER CARS AND DOUGLAS TRUCKS Douglas Motors Corporation Yankees Practice Throwing Hand Grenades From Abandoned Trenches I i :-jkMj.iiiM:Ii&J I HAND GT?ENADI PKACTICD (sZCc.-wrrjrr e This remarkable photo shows the explosion of a hand grenade thrown by one of the "Sammies" in training CHICAGO PASTOR IS DENOUNCED BY IOWAJEACKERS County Superintendent 1 De clares School Teachers Are Loyal; Scores Address Praising Kaiser. Cedar Rapids, la., Feb. 16. The Rev. Dr. John A. Driver, pastor of the People's church of Chicago, who created an uproar at the convention of the Linn County Teachers' insti tute yesterday by an address relating the virtues of the kaiser and the Ger man people, was roundly denounced at a patriotic mass meeting of 800 teachers here today. Led by Miss Lule B. Secrist, county superintendent .of schools, several teachers spoke on the loyalty of the teachers of this country and scored Dr. Driver for his admiration of the kaiser. Other speakers were equally severe on Driver. A Red Cross movement which was not listed on the program was launched and the sale of thrift stamps and the latest government financial plan were indorsed. Germans Hard Pressed To Muster U-Boat Crews Geneva, Feb. 16. A Swiss engineer employed for the last ten months at the electrical works at Kiel and who has recently returned, informs the Associated Press that the Germans are making every effort to conceal their submarine losses, especially from the navy, because of increased difficulty in mustering crews. He estimates the Germans lost 30 per cent of their submarines during the time that he was at Kiel. "I saw a score of submarines lined up in the canal undergoing repairs," he said. "They had been hit by depth bombs, which the Germans seem to fear greatly." Baker Admits Overcrowding At Jefferson Barracks, Mo. Washington, Feb. 16. Investiga tion by the inspector general of com plaints regarding conditions at Jeffer son Barracks, Mo., Secretary Baker announced today, showed that over crowding, with attendant evils, oc curred between December 1 and Jan uary IS as a result of the notice that voluntary enlistment of men of draft age would end December IS, but that extra accommodations were obtained and there was no evidence of lack of sufficient care for the sick. Boy Scouts Charge Funds Were Misused New York, Feb. 16. An affi davit filed today in the supreme court by James E. West, managing officer of the Boy Scouts of Amer ica, charged the misapplication of $30,000 by L. W. Amerman. head of the United States Boy Scouts, and certain of his associates. The money, it is alleged, was received in response to a so-called "Million-dollar letter," sent out last year and the entire amount, according to the affidavit, was di vided among Arthur Camp, John D. Gluck and Forsythe and Fiske, solicitors, and Amerman and his assistants. The organization, it is alleged, received none of the money. at Camp Lewis. American Liike, Washington. The grenades arc thrown in abandoned trenches to make certain of no hidden enemy. Late Topics at Auto Club To help relieve railroad congestion cities in Connecticut are establishing a return loads telephone number in their directories. When a motor truck drives in from a city outside the driver calls up the return loads num ber and asks if there are any goods to be hauled back to his city. In this way the maintenance cost of truck haulage is greatly decreased, as the truck is full going and coming. The "Capitol Highway" is the name of a new road to be marked into Omaha. This latest traffic artery will run from Albion through Hum phrey to Clarkson, south to Schuy ler, crossing the Platte and running south to Lincoln. A branch will be marked into Omaha. All sorts of punishments have been suggested to heap on Kaiser Bill when our Sammies land on him, but what's the matter with bringing Bill back to Omaha and making him count every hole in our city pavements? The death of Mr. Sargent, the shoe dealer, at the railroad crossing in Council Bluffs, suggests that Coun cil Blulfs demand a gong there. This is one of the most dangerous cross ings in the Bluffs, and every automo bile traveling between the two cities must cross it. The traffic oven the crossing demands a proper safety first appliance. Parking space in some of the east ern cities is so limited that outside parking yards have been established. The Auto club is collecting facts con cerning this new wrinkle. Outside parking yards would relieve Omaha streets to a great extent. The club is receiving inquiries about touring this summer. Looks like there is going to be a heavy tourist season. Toledo in Darkness; Flood Overwhelms Power Plant Toledo, O., Feb. 16. The Maumee river flood this afternoon bested the workers, who were building a pro tecting wall around the main power station of the Toledo Railway & Light company. The engines supply ing 85 per cent of the electric cur rent in the city were shut down at 2 o'clock. All car service was suspend ed. Hundreds of factories, including an automobile plant, employing 15, 000 men, shut down for lack of power. Most of the city streets will be in darkness tonight. Move to Prohibit Liquor Near Camps Would Make Texas Dry Austin, Tex., Feb. 16. Measures to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquor within 10 miles of any army camp in Texas, and making violation of such measures a felony, will be sub mitted to a special session of the Texas legislature, called to convene Tuesday, February 26, by Governor W. P. Hobby, in a proclamation to night. The governor's recommenda tions, if passed by the legislature, practically would make Texas a "dry" state. Hays to Deliberate on G. 0. P. Appointments Indianapolis, Feb. 16. Chairman Will H. Hays of the republican na tional committee stated today that he probably would not appoint the new national executive or advisory com mittees within the next 30 days. Mr. Hays says that he proposes to pro ceed very carefully in his selection of these committeemen. ajc vwtwwv, Sfv sp ?y vj. The training received by the "Sam mies" in playing the national game of baseball is the reason the boys arc expert in the use of the grenades. Velie Displays at Auto Shows Savor of Military Any brief review of the New York and Chicago Automobile shows would be incomplete without men tion of the Velie Biltwel Six exhibits at both places. There are nine models in the new Velie line, from sport car type to an ultra fashionable brougham. With this variety of cars the Velie com pany had an opportunity to display colors and effects to a remarkable extent and, naturally, made the most of it. The basis of the color scheme was found in the military uniform colors of the several allied armies, as, for instance, the red and gray of the French, the black and red of the Italians, the khaki and blue of Uncle Sam, and so on. In each instance a small flag of the country repre sented by its colors was displayed in the car. Berlin Strikers Given Heavy Prison Sentences Amsterdam, Feb. 16. A number of persons who took part in the recent strikes in Berlin have been sentenced to prison by extraordinary courts martial. The heaviest sentenced, 42 months of penal servitude, was im posed on a metal worker named Rata joseik, for attempting to hold up a street car. Another metal worker named Meyer was sentenced to 18 months for a similar offense. One boy of 17, also a metal worker, was sentenced to two years and another to six months for distributing . leaflets and urging women workers to strike. The 1814-18 Farnam St. BOLO APPEALS CASE IN FINAL STABJOR LIFE Goes to Court of Cassation in Effort to Rescind Verdict of Death for Treason. illy AuMirlatrd rrr.) Pans, Fob. lfi. Bolo 1'asha, who yesterday was convicted by a court martial of treason and sentenced to death, today appealed from trie ver dict to the court of cassation. Holo was dressed in prison garb and taken to the death cell on his return to Santc prison. He passed a restless night, but apparently was hopeful that the decision may be re See it at the Omaha Show Fiv-Ptenger Touring Car $1095 Four.Paitenger Roaditer S1095 Fiv-Paiengcr Sedan $1395 All Price f. o. b. Factory STANDARD MOTOR CAR COMPANY CARL CHANGSTROM, President Western Distributor, Omaha, Neb. 2020-2022 Farnam Street. Phone Douglas 1705 DEALERS If you can handlt a bif territory our proposition is of unusual inttrest to you. 8 mazy , 5rer.w.-. i LLUa The mere convenience of the convertible sedan is almost forgotten, now, in the greater practical purpose it is serving. Economical, and easy to drive, it is speed ing the war work of men and women alike and keeping them fit in all weathers. It will pay you to visit us and examine this car. gasoline consumption is unusually The tire mileage is unusually high. low. .Sedan or Coupe, $1350; Winter Touring Car or Roadster, $1050 Touring Car, Roadster or Commercial Car, $885; (All prices f. o. b. Detroit.) Murphy-O'Brien Auto Company Omaha, Neb. Service Station Blackstone Garage West Farnam Street. versed on appeal. He said to the guards: "I am perfectly tranquil. I have a thousands grounds for appeal." One of these is supposed 'to be the allegation that a witness for the prose cution was seen during a recess in the trial in conversation with the president of the court martial and the government counsel. Bolo's first inquiry this morning was whether his neighbors in prison had been informed of the verdict. He was told that Joseph Caillaux, former premier, was astonished at his convic tion. There were many callers at the prison this morning, but none was ad mitted as Bolo was subjected to strict prison regulations and was consantly under the eyes of the death watch. He was handcuffed when taken out for exercise and when brought into court. Deputy F.mile Constant today an nounced that he would interpellate the government on what he termed the irregularities and delays in the official investigation of the Bolo Pasha affair. Looking for work? Turn to the llt'Ip Wanted Columns now. You will fmd hundreds of positions listed there. : rnHIS is just an in vitation to you. We want you to see the Allen. Then we will ex plain it to you. fiffrmririiii rr:.nwitfi Phone Tyler 123.