A German Army Scandal

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 136, 6 May 1893, Page 4

A German Army Scandal

German Army officers have swooped down upon London in the past week, and the streets in the West End havo taken on somewhat the appearance of pictures of Unter den Linden. Tall military young fellows, with fresh complexions and enormous yellow moustaches waxed to a fine point, can be picked out everywhere. They are here with a view to hushing up what threatens to be the moat serious army scandal Germany bus ever had. Some of tbem are fugitives hiding from the law ; others have come here to help their comrades in disgrace, and to attempt to smooth matters over, and to pave the way for return. In all seventy-four officers are implicated. They represent the noblest families, the richest and the oldest in all Germany. There is hardly an honoured name that has not some connection with the scandal. The specific acts charged aro gambling, not paying debts, all sorts of wild orgies with women, and general conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. The chief offender is the Baron yon Zedlitz-Neukirch, who, at the house of his woman companion in Berlin, led tbe wild dance of his brothers in uniform. He has fled to London, and is at present in hiding here, having married the woman. The Emperor has the names of the seventy-four men charged with all manner of wrong- doing, and an investigation will not only be carried on by a military court, but by » criminal court as well. Samuel Seeman, one of the persons implicated, was arrested here on Thursday, and will be sent back to Berlin. The explanation for all this wrongdoing is the old one of idleness. Peace has endured too long, so these young fellows, with high spirits, plenty of money, and nothing to do, naturally fell into evil ways. The official investigation will begin early in April. Thus far the matter has been kept a secret.