A HILARIOUS TRIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 95, 13 July 1927, Page 13

A HILARIOUS TRIAL

EXPLOITS OF A GERMAN COAL-HEAVER IN SOCIETY By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright BERLIN, Tuesday. The coalheaver, Harry Domela, who in January masqueraded as a prince and deceifed German society people, was sentenced at Cologne to seven months' imprisonment. Hilarity prevailed throughout the trial % and even the Judges were unable* to suppress their mirth when the ex-coalheaver related his adventures. Domela described how in spite of his own objections everybody, including police officers, addressed him as “Your Royal Highness” and bowed and stood at attention when he arrived at different owns. It was reported in January last that a coalheaver named Harry Domela, who masqueraded successively as Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, Baron von Korff and the Prince of Lievin, was arrested as he was about to enter a train for Cologne. He was going with other recruits for the Foreign Legion to Metz. Domela toured Thuringia as the eldest son of the exCrown Prince, and on one occasion occupied the Royal box at a theatre in Gotha, at a special performance given in his honour. He accepted boxes*>f chocolates from actresses and was entertained at a State banquet. When difficulties arose Domela disappeared. He was equally successful elsewhere under other titles, until his exposure set the police in motion. They had searched for him over the whole country when he enlisted in the Foreign Legion. He admitted the impostures and boasted of his successes.