THE BLACKMAIL CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 48, 15 February 1908, Page 2

THE BLACKMAIL CASE.

LIAR TO THE LAST. London, February 13Von Veltheim in his statement to the Court, said he had not intended that the wretched letters signed "Kismet" should have been taken seriously. He was not such a fool as to think ' such letters would produce money. His conscience was clear on that point. Barney Barnato had not been the principal man in the plot against the late President Kruger in which he had asked his (Veltheiin's) assistance, but one of a number. He had begged Woolf Joel's pardon for the "Kismet" letters and Joel had forgiven him. He had been tried for Woolf Joel's murder and acquitted. "Thank God," he said, "it was not a British jury, but a jury of men who did not measure everything by pounds, shillings, and pence. They' acquitted me because they knew I was Jhnocent."

Continuing, Veltheim said he had risked his life rather than betray the names of those in the plot to the Boer Government.

He added that he had never got money from women. Mr. Justice Phillimore, in emphasising that Veltheim was guilty of one of the most serious crimes, declared that the punishment must be corresponding preventive. ° The prisoner was stunned on hearing the sentence. The Times describes Veltheim as q very dangerous scoundrel. Criminals of his Stamp will lie to the last. Other newspapers are equally satisfied with the action of jury and Judge. A' BROKEN MAN. Received 14th, 11.25 p.m. London, February 14. Warders of the Wormwood '.Scrubs prison describe Von Veltheim as a broken man, dazed and in a semi-collapsed condition.