DETECTIVES’ BLUNDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1019, 5 November 1912, Page 4

DETECTIVES’ BLUNDER.

ENGLISHMAN’S ADVENTURE IN BELGIUM.

Mr Bertram Foster, son of Mr H. S. Foster (ex-M.P. for Lowestoft) has had an extraordinary experience with the Belgian police. Mr Foster went to Brussels to carry through some important business negotiations, when he was arrested and detained at a police office for several hours, after which an apology was made to him, and he was released. The matter is now in the hands of the Foreign Office. ‘T went to Brussels,” said Mr Foster, “to complete negotiations lor the discounting of a bill for in connection with a financial scheme in which many wellknown city men are interested. I had been there dir: ;; '-lie week previous, and seen the manager oi the bank who had agreed to discount the bill, but he asked me to come over again, as he would have to consult his other directors. I left Brussels four days later, on the Friday, on the understanding that the bank manager would telegraph me when he was able to complete the arrangement. ‘‘On Tuesday I received a telegram, asking me to come over on Wednesday, when the bill would be discounted. I started for Brussels that night. Until that time not the slightest hitch had taken place, and before I left Belgium the week before last I spent two days shooting with the gentleman who had accepted the bill.

“On Wednesday morning I met one of the leading citizens of Brussels, and at 2.30 we went to an office where we had been instructed to call for the purpose of receiving the money. While we were waiting there, four persons, who said they were detectives, put in an appearance—one of them said he was the Procurator of the King. They produced a document, which turned out to be a warrant for our arrest. They searched us, and took away all our documents and money. They afterwards returned everything except the bill and the documents relating to it. “Then they conveyed us in a taxi-cab to the Central Police Station. I asked in vain with what I was charged. I could get no answer. We got to the station about 2.45. I asked to be allowed to send a message to the British Ambassador, but was told he was not in Brussels. I then tried to get permission to send for the British Consul, but was told that he was not on the telephone. “Finally I did get permission to send for my lawyer, and after he came the magistrate sent word to us that we were only there as witnesses, and not as prisoners. When we did see the magistrate he told us that we had been suspected of belonging to a band of Continental swindlers, but now that he had examined the documents, he apologised to us for the trouble which bad been caused us, and told us we could go. “We were detained at the police station for over five hours, and were unable to get anything to eat or drink. On my return to England, I went at once to the Foreign Office and laid my case before Sir Edward Grey, and I understand he is in communication with the authorities at Brussels.”