The New York herald., 1871-11-11
UNIFIED STATES DISTRICT C1u3I.
Alleged Diamond Smuggling-A Very Int.
resting Casc-A Chapter from tho History Of
the Communists.

Alleged Diamond Smuggling-A Very Inte-
resting Case-A Chapter from tho History OF
the Communists.
Before Judge Baichford.
Tne United StatcS us. Ellie and GUSTAV Mau-Yes.
terday we published brief reference to this case
In which action had been instituted by the United
States against the defendants for the purpose OF
condemning quantity Of diamonds and other pre-
clous stones, worth about eight thousand dollars,
alleged to have been smuggled into this
country from Europe. The facts, as developed
upon the trial, are extremely interesting. The
DEFENDANTS had been jewellers IN Paris, under the
name Of Henry May Sons. and were located there
In business when hostiites broke out between
France and Germany. They were officers In the
French army during the war. Subsequently, when
the Communist rising took place. Gustav was
Quartermaster General IN the Communist army, and
Ellie was Division Quartermaster BEING Intelligent
and well educated gentlemen, they wrote for the
journals, including Rocheiort's paper and the
Marseuaise. 1t is understood that they IN
sieges Of Paris. They deny that the Arch
bishop of that city killed by order OF the Com
mob, and that the soldiers OF the Commune endea-
vored TO save him from death. The dag before the
ann WHERE IN snor ,me arier thew were oneG
by u rrend from Paris, who brought on from that
city quantity OF precious stones belonging to the
TO the Mays, who sewed them IN a SILK
jacket or shirt Tor safety. The defend.
and being able to speak the German language, they
succeeded IN getting through the lines or the Ger
man army OF occupation and passed over TO London.
in that city they heard that their mother mad been
arrested at Paris and the bulk OF their property
fscaied by the government OF Versailles They
travelled In Germany and England under assumed
names. believing that If they gave their real ones
tney would be taken back to France under the Ex.
tradition law. When they arrived III New York,
carrying with them the diamonds In question,
as they did IN Germany and England that
the disclosure OF tner real names would
oa ae % the &c ansr %eeu ,ne, % Ss
talned that they were not charged with any political
offence, but only with smuggling, they disclosed
their real names, and did not offer any opposition
to the officers of the customs In learning the facts
In relation to the contraband goous. Their defence
to the action was tnat they never intended to
into this port, under the circumstances mentioned,
for the purpose Of preserving them as portion Of
their property, and that they were perfectly willing
TO- pay the duty upon them. A Grim;
against them before United States Commissioner,
but this was dismissed. In the prosecution Of the
consultation with the officers OF the customs, the
statement OF the defendants was sustained, lie
would not further press the case. The deieDdans'
story was In The main confirmed, SO far 1t re-
laied 10 their connection with the diamonds In New
YORK, and The jury rendered verdict restoring the
dlamonds 10 the owners the latter OF course under
taking 10 pay the proper and necessary duties upon
them.
The testimony OF the defendants. which reached
back TO their possession Of the diamonds In Parts,
went to show that the Versailles troops after their
entrance into the capital committed great atrocI.
ties; tnat they tied together Communists IN batcies
oil iorty or nifty at time and shot them down with
mitrailleuses; that many OF those VINO were simply
wounded In this way were shot 10 death with MS.
tois or stabbed with bay0nets, and that others who
escaped from the scene OF the butcnery were only
enabled to crawl away into back lanes ana cellars
TO die OF their wounds.