RUSSIAN CROWN JEWELS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3588, 27 September 1920, Page 5

RUSSIAN CROWN JEWELS.

SMUGGLED INTO ENGLAND

LONDON, Sept. 24

Russian jewels, including the Imperial regalia, thus far smuggled into Britain, are valued at many millions. Some experts estimate the total at £20,000,000. They were sold far below their real value. Some of the largest diamonds have been -split, including two from the crown, decreasing the value but' making the sale easier. Received 9,5 am.. LONDON, Sept. 26. The Observer states that the utilising of Russian jewels for Bolshevik purposes was Kameneff's idea- A jewel expert was-appointed head of a battalion of conffscators, who systematically searched private houses for jewels, receipts being given for any detained. As a result of this operation, Trotsky, in July, 1.918, announced that he was sure °f a world revolution as diamonds were coming into the Bolshevik coffers by floods. After the jewels were classified, agents took them to neutral countries to be sold. America got a large share, and England, France, and Switzerland participated, whilst other lots went to the- Orient.