THE CRIPPEN SENSATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 874, 4 August 1910, Page 3

THE CRIPPEN SENSATION.

DETAILS OF THE ARREST

Ottawa, August i

The prevailing impression ol all on board the Montrose who were brought into touch with Miss Le Neve is that she is wholly ignorant of the murder. Her submission and following of Crippen induced a belief in his hypnotic influence. Even the gaolers were affected by her distress on receiving her mother’s cable bidding her tell everything. Unconfirmed reports are prevalent that Crippen intended to land at Father Point, and had his baggage ready. He drew a revolver on entering the cabin, but was prevented from using it, and threw it out of the port hole. Miss Le Neve fainted, and the steward summoned the doctor. Before he arrived the girl attempted to take a powder, but after a sharp struggle the stewardess prevented her. Captain Kendall, of the Montrose, had telegraphed to the Canadian police, “ Crippen is having breakfast and suspects nothing. Your instructions have been carried out to the letter. Le Neve not yet out.” A skiff containing four peajackets and detectives then set out for the Montrose, and boarded the vessel, and they found Crippen smoking on the promenade deck. Inspector Dew chatted to Captain Kendall while he eyed Crippen and then said, “That’s my man.” He continued chatting until Crippen approached apparently to ask a question. He commenced to have a word with the captain in a jovial tone, but realised the situation immediately, and his face turned the colour of death. He was immediately arrested, and as he descended he asked, “Have you a warrant? What is the charge ? ” MacCarthy, the Canadian Chief Constable, produced the warrant, which Crippen seized, and after reading greedily, muttered, “ Murder and mutilation; “Oh, God.” He threw the warrant on the floor and passively walked to his cabin.

A few minutes later a woman’s shriek told the passengers and crew that Le Neve had also been arrested. She, recognised Inspector Dew in the semi-darkness as she was emerging from the cabin to join Crippen, The police discovered her lying on the bed in boy’s clothing, trembling and pallid- When she saw the irons, she clung to Crippen crying, “Isn’t it terrible?” She continued to sob violently until the prisoners were separated. Le Neve resumed woman’s clothing, which was concealed among her effects. She refused to make a statement.

Constable MacCarthy states that Crippen confessed to Inspector Dew that he suspected he was trapped two days ago owing to the numerous wireless messages which were being sent and received, and also the constant observation to which he was subjected. Crippen states that he will not oppose extradition. He only had some ten dollar bills and some jewellery concealed under his shirt, and the contents of his pockets included a packet containing gunpowder. Captain Kendall states that when his suspicions were aroused he quietly collected all the English papers mentioning the murder. He told Crippen a funny story to make him laugh heartily in order to make him open his mouth enough to show his false teeth. The ruse was successful.

Crippen’s haggard and nervous appearance had increased latterly, and he often walked the deck alone, listening to the snapping of the Marconi apparatus. The Montrose's officers Marconigraphed that they alone had Captain Kendall’s confidence.

The passengs did not suspect, though several guessed that “ Master Robinson ” was a girl by her voice and walk. Thirty thousand words were telegraphed on Sunday from the Wooden office at Father Point, from which ordinarily but a few hundreds go weekly. Ee Neve’s mother has cabled her daughter imploring her to tell the police everything. Quebec, August 1. The girl t,e Neve is in a state of collapse, and is locked in a stateroom. The fugitives travelled as the “ Rev Mr Robinson and his son.”

A number of diamond rings were discovered upon Crippeu, who went to sleep after Inspector Dew’s examination. It is announced that the prisoners will return to England on board the Royal George on Thursday. A crowd of pressmen and telegraph operators boarded the Montrose from the pilot’s tug after the arrest had been effected, clamouring tor the use of the Montrose’s wireless apparatus. (Further particulars on Page 4.)