The New York herald., 1874-12-06
A MILITARY BURGLAR.

He Rines . Military Money Chest In
Vienna and Comes to America-He IL
Arrested Here and Returned to Austria.
Herr Hugo Fritsch, Consul OF the Austrian EN-
pire and Hungary in this city, wrote to Superin-
tendent Walling on the 1st inst. informing him
that ROBBERY OF Austrian military funds took
place in Vienna in the latter part Of August, and
that the thief, Lieutenant August Basser, Of the
Fifty seventh regiment Of the Austrian army, was
probably in New York. The superintendent
charged Detective Elder with the duty OF finding
II the criminal were here and OF arresttng him.
The ofncer learned, on the same day. that Bassler
was living in New York through hearing that q man
who answered the description given OF the burg
lar mad sold and exchanged some OF The Prussian
bonds and money, which were among the stolen
funds. On the next day he learned that Bassler
took his meals at cafe In the Bowery. He visited
the place and recognized among Its visitors the
person whom he sought. AS the detective does
not speak German, nor Bassler speak English, and
as Elder, II he attempted to arrest the criminal,
without being able explain to the latter why he
Necessary disturbance, Detective Won Gerichten
was detailed 10 aid In making the arrest The
two officers wen! to the ,ne Bowery caie s.,on on
again i entered. i Detective Won Gerichten spoke
to him, told hun tnat he and Elder were
arrest him He admitted to Won Gerichten that
his name was Bassler, and quietly accompanied
the officers to the Central once. When his arrest
was known OF at headquarters Consul Fritsch
was sent for to visit him. On Herr Fritsch's
arrival, and in the presence OF the detectives
Bassler confessed to the Consul that he was guilty
OF the burglary. He had been, he said, the oflcer
OF the day on the 26th or 10th OF August, and had
the care OF the military depot In Vienna. He
broke open the depot and forced q money chest,
from winch he took $4,000 norins, In currency
money is about $4,000. On being relieved
from duty he started immediately Tor
Hamburg and took passage from there for
this country. When he arrived at Hoboken he did
not come to New York, but went to philadelphia.
He soon tired OF that city and came here where
him long to make acquaintances, for he soon be-
came the prey OF Q party or German gaming
snarps," who led him merry dance toward
destitution. They "roped" him into gambling,
and by foul practices they had, at the time OF his
arrest, already robbed him OF 900 OF the sum he
Bassler had about $500 in his pockets when he
was arrested, and when his baggage, which was
brought from his room in Second street. was ex-
amined, In the presence Of Consul Fritscn, IN
the Central once, about $1,000 more were
found. He mad, therefore, spent about 50, 900 dur
ing his absence from vienna He had been in a
cell but very short time when he wrote letter
to Consul Fritsch saying that he was guilty, that
he did not wish to remain IN confinement with
the lowest classes OF during the tedious
process OF the extradition law and that he desired
to be sent to Austria as quickly as possible. The
letter was laid before the Police Commissioners,
who decided that, under the circumstances Bass
ler could be sent to Europe immediately. Super
lntendent WallinR, therefore, appointed Detective
Won Gerichten to accompany the prisoner TO gu
rope; and both are passengers for Bremen on the
steamship Hermann, which left this port yester.