The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1876-01-13
Astonishing Charges OF Ras cali:y against
RisEarch

BERLIN, Dec. l0.-There is very live
ly gossip going the round in the higher
circles of society in this city. Perhaps
editors, even If they know il, do not
dare To print it, as the chances are that
they would find themselves in prison.
1t is scandal, indeed, and very bad
one, worse than the Credit Mobiller
affair at Washington. Here the bribe-
Nv has reached into the highest ranks.
Even Prince Bismarck is accused Of
having appropriately profited by his
official position, and betrayed the con-
fidence of his sovereign for private gain,
and the charge is said to be fully corrob-
GRATED by documents found in DIR.
Strousberg's house in this city when II
was being searched after tho latter's ar
rest at Moscow. The story is as follows:
Herr yon Wedemeycr was wealthy
land owner residing at Schoenrade.
About six years ago DIR. Strousberg had
several grand railroad projects in view,
and he succeeded, by means said to be
the reverse from honorable, 10 interest
the Duke Of Ujest and the Duke OF
Ratibor to take part In the enterprise
and give them their countenance by their
great names. The Dukes went to Bis
mark TO obtain the required concession
10 put the shares upon tho market. Bis
inarck, then only Count, fatty refused,
calling the whole thing q swindlc.
Though urged by large number OF the
nobility, be still refused 10 listen to
them, and even denounced them right
roundly to their faces for being con-
cerncd in such fraud. Then Dr.Strous-
berg stepped forward and visited Bis
mark. What happened then is not
known bnt the day after Strousberg
returned 10 Berlin Bismarck also came
lack, and on tho following day the royal
assent to the proposed work was is
sued. The shares were at once placed
for sale aud reached an enormous pre-
MUM, when the whole thing collapsed.
The Dukes, somo other mobiles, Dir.
Strousberg himself made millions at il,
but the public lost tremendously, among
them also Herr von Wedemcycr aud
three other of bis ncighbors. When
Strousbcrg's bankruptcy was announced
Wcdemeycr and his friends were among
his creditors, and they appointed them
selves n committee to investigate affairs.
They claim that in looking over papers
in the Office Of Strousberg they had
found documents pointing clearly 10
Bismarck as being concerned in these
fraudulent transactions, and short par
agraph was inserted in the Cross Ga
.ette, of Berlin, stating IN u roundabout
way and without mentioning any names,
that disclourscs would soon be made
duplicating high state officials in the
questionable dealings of Strousberg.
All the notice taken OF this was warn
ing to the editor that if he didn't stop
such insinuations he would be sent TO
the lookup. Upon that Mr.. Won Wcde-
MEYER ahd his friends sent letter TO
the Emperor, stating all the facts, in
closing verified copies OF the papers.
His Majesty is said to have been greatly
grieved at the disclosure, and called
Field Marshal Manteuffel, his intimate
personal friend, to his confidence. Bis
Inarck was at Varzin at the time, and
thither Mantcuflel went with tho papers
10 ask an explanation. Bismarck, OF
course, denied the accusation, and de-
lies, and that report was made the En-
pcror, and the answer was also privately
communicated to Mr.. Won Wedemeyer,
who at oncc promised to lay originals
before his Majesty. And now comes
the startling catastrophe. Won Wedc-
meyer arrived at bis residence at Soho
cnrade one evening about week ago,
and at once repaired TO his library 10
arrange the papers, locking the door
and giving orders not TO be disturbed.
Next morning he was found by his SER
wants, who had to break open the door
10 get TO him, a raving maniac, and two
days after he died. All the important
papers which Won Wcdcmcyer was
known TO have in his possession, and
which he was about to hand TO tho en-
pcror, in proof of his charges, were
mysteriously gone. Won Wedemeyer
was strong muscular man Of about 30,
in full health, and possessed of strong
common sense. llo was the last man
any one should suspect would 90 crazy.
For, having taken the steps that he did,
would hc himself have destroyed the
documents. There WAS but one man in
the world who had an interest that Won
Wedemeyer's mouth should be shptand
the papers be put out of reach, and that
man was Prince Bismarck himself. And
here comes another circumstance equal
ly suggestive. Only one other man exists
who can make any damaging revelations
in this matter, and this man is d..
Strousberg himself, now imprisoned at
Moscow. His affairs are so complicated
that the creditors here have petiiioncd
the Emperor to obtain Strousbcrg's re-
lease and return to Berlin, that his es-
tate might be wound up under his per-
sonal supervision. The petition was
granted at first, and Bismarck promised
TO have proper representations made 10
Russian Government. Since the Wedeme
yer affair, news comes privately from
Moscow that Bismarck's efforts for
Strousberg's release have been abandon
cd; that he now asks for tho immediate
punishment Of the doctor, and that the
latter will at once DO sent 10 Siberia,
where, of course, he will never DO heard
If III, NJ,