SEQUEL TO A ROYAL JEWEL ROBBERY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1009, 20 February 1912, Page 4

SEQUEL TO A ROYAL JEWEL ROBBERY.

THREE YEARS’ SEARCH FOLLOWED BY AN ARREST.

A dramatic arrest was made by Scotland Yard detectives in London recently in connection with a jewel robbery from the Dowager Queen of Siam. The arrest, which was the sequel to urgent cable messages from Bangkok and Singapore, is the latest chapter in a sensational royal jewel mystery which has puzzled the police tor nearly three years.

The wanted man was arrested on the steps of the General Post Office, and taken to Bowstreet Police Station. He will be brought betore the magistrate aud charged with receiving the stolen gems.

The story of the mysterious disappearance of the jewels is a romantic one. They were ordered by Queen Sowaya Pougsi of Siam, the wife of the late King Chulalougkoru, who was succeeded a little more than a year ago by the present King. She had a wonderful collection of jewels, and seut to Loudon early in May 1900 for a pearl collar, which was to be added to her store. A perfectly matched string or pearls was secured for her by the Association of Diamond Merchants and JcWciiclS, O Charing Cross.

It was insured for a sum approaching £IO,OOO, packed in a strong box in London, aud despatched to Bangkok, the Siamese captial. The box was carefully guarded ou the trains, and ulaced in the srroug room ot a North Germau-Lloyd liner tor safety. When delivered the box to all outward appearances was still securely locked aud sealed, but wheu it was opened it was found to be empty. The pearl collar, and some diamond brooches aud other ornaments which had been placed in the box were all missing.

From that time until recently nothing was heard of the missing gems, aud there was not the smallest clue to the identity of the daring thief or thieves who had so skilfully abstracted them from the box.

Shortly before Christmas, however, news was received by the British Government officials at Singapore that an attempt had been made to dispose ot some ot the missing royal gems, of which jewellers all over the world have records.

A man was traced from the Straits Settlements to London, aud in consequence of a close watch kept by detectives he was arrested. .

Mr Smith, the managing director of the Association of Diamond Merchants aud Jewellers, was in formed of the arrest, which has followed constant inquiries by the firm ever since the gems were lost.