BOGUS MARQUIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1918, Page 4

BOGUS MARQUIS.

LOANS FOR “KING ALPH” NEW YORK, Feb. 20

New York is laughing at the social and financial exploits of Edmond Rousselot ,a clerk, who for three months has succeeded in passing himself off as the Marquis di Castilot, a member of the French High Commission and an intimate friend of the King of Spain. The young man has been indicted for obtaining money by false pretences from a well-known millionaire and for forging a Government permit to visit vessels' in the New York harbour. But his crowning achievement was a bold attempt, through friends to get from Messrs J. P. Morgan and Co. a loan for the King of Spain of £10,000,000. Rousselot made his first appearance immaculately dressed at the Waldorf Hotel, where lie registered in his own name as a member of the French War Mission. A few days later it began to be whispered that lie was the Marquis di Castillot, a Spanish nobleman. He did not advertise himself in this character, but adopted a novel scheme of losing telegrams and letters. Some of the latters were dated Madrid and sign ed “Alpli.” When the young marquis ! came to know his American friends I better, he explained that the King of i Spain, when he wrote to really intimate friends, had a way of signing himself just plain “Alpli.” WOMAN TRICKED OF £2,000.

The “marquis” had also some telegrams signed “Jusseraud.” He said he was very close to the French Ambassador. One day the “marquis” was introduced to Miss Josephine Mayher, a rich New York woman. After the acquaintance had ripened he told her about his business affairs and the vast importance of the business be .was transacting for “dear Alph” and for France. Then he confined to her that lie needed £2,000. He owned some oil stocks, or said he did, and offered these as security. Miss Mayher advanced the money, and the “marquis” thanked her from the bottom of liis heart. Then he did a. very generous thing. Though he regarded oil stocks as gilt-edged, he insisted, ns additional security, in pledging to her “the

ancestral heirlooms of the house of Castillot.”

As time sped on the ranges of the “marquis's acquaintances increased. Ho gained admittance to Lamb’s Club (the Savage Club of New York) and was introduced to Mr. W. E. D. Stokes the millionaire owned of the Hotel Ansonia. He told bis friends that Mr. Stokes impressed him very favourably. A RUSH. One morning the “marquis” casually mentioned that lie was expecting to entertain M. Jusserand, the French Ambassador, the next day.. The follow ing morning be rushed into Mr. Stokes in a state of great excitement. “I am ruined! My reputation is gone! My cheque has not arrived and the Ambassador is on his way. What shall I do?” lie exclaimed. Mr. Stokes advanced £IOO, the amount needed to entertain the distinguished guest. Several days passed and M. Jusseraud did not appear, but the “marquis” visited Mr. Stokes again and showed him a letter signed “Alpli,” Which said that Spain was very short of money and needed £10,000,000. The letter ended by declaring, that if “my dear M. le Marquis” can get the money Spain-.“will cast ill her lot with the Allies.”

Mr. Stokes was impressed. We went to Messrs J. P. Morgan and Co. and explained the position to Mr. William Pierpont Hamilton, a member of the firm and a brother in law of Mr. Morgan. Mr. Hamilton was not impressed. He communicated with the Secretary of , State, Mr. Lansing, who said that lie had not heard anything of such a loan, which, in any case, would have to be negotiated between the two Governments.

When Mr. Hamilton informed the “marquis” of Mr Lansing’s refusal the “marquis”' became agitated. A few days lated ho got another letter from “Alpli” saying that it was not a Government but a personal loan, that was desired. Secret service men then arrested the “marquis.” . They searched his rooms and found that he had been using the .official seal of Westchester County and making his friends believe it was the seal of Spain. The trade mark of a well-known New York fur merchant served the “marquis” as the crest of the noble family bf di Castillot!