Daily globe., 1883-07-31
BERLIN SCANDALS.

HUSItOhUUte CtfcteS.
The Berlin correspondent of the London
Times telepraphs under date of July 10:
About a week ago there appeared in the
Times an account of a remarkable press
trial which for four days engrossed the
attention of the Berlin public, and to-day
the central tribunal commenced the hear
ing of two other causes celebres, which
afford another interesting, yet painful
glimpse behind the social curtain here.
One of these two trials was begun and
ably continue for some time. The latter
is a case of ! alleged WIFE, poisoning,
and the accused husband, Sucker
by name, is an ex-lieutenant. The
sensational feature of the case is the fact
that, on strong suspicion of foul play, the
body of the poisoned woman was exhumed
about eighteen months after her death,
when the analysis discovered clear traces
OF arsenic in the organs. The circum-
stantial evidence against the accused is
strong, and one witness in his favor has
prevaricated dreadfully, so much SO, in
deed, that one of the counsel limited at q
charge of perjury. The prisoner, ex-Lieut.
Sucker, is about fifty y-seven years of age,
and has led most varied and adventurous
life, having served, for instance, in the
foreign or German legion of the British
army during the Crimean war, having
lived in America, Turkey, Persia and other
countries, and been through the campaigns
of 1866 and 1S70-1871. 1t may be diff
cult for the public prosecutor to make out
complete case against him, but his trial,
at any rate, has already revealed shocking
details of moral depravity.
No less significant although less repulsive
disclosures were made in the course of the
other trial, begun and ended to-day, which
was that of a man, Renter by name,moving
in the upper classes of society, for
systematic gambling. In the account of
the press trial above alluded to 1 took
occasion to remark that gambling had
already assumed as formidable dimensions
at Berlin as at Monaco. and one journal
here, which quoted my statement, observed
that it could not, unfortunately be refuted.
Now, it is curious that, although in Berlin
the practices which have made Monte Carlo
notorious prevail, there exists in this city
branch of the London society for abolishing
the gaming tables at Monaco. It is true
this branch society is composed of knot
of enthusiastic doctrinaires, who are much
more likely to know what is passing in
Monaco or in the moon than under their
own noses, but still there is the undeniable
fact that ruin is as busy here as in
Monaco.
It requires no very subtle psychology to
account for many of the frequent suicides
in the highest ranks Of society here, es-
pecially among officers. Everyone knew
why gay cavalry officer of the Prussisn
guards, who moved like meteor from one
hospital saloon to another during the Ber-
lin season. was last winter suddenly re-
moved from the scenes of his social tri-
umphs. The newspapers Of this very
evening announce the suicide at Hamburg
of a gentleman owing to unsuccessful play
and the arrest there of two gangs Of pro-
fessional gamblers from the "c1ty of intel
ligence." I do not speak Of the bourse,
which Prussian minister, Herr Maybach,
not very long ago described as poison
plant" and which indulges to an incredi-
ble extent in transactions that require the
exercise of the very same faculties as card
playing, but of privategaming, which is
so generally practiced in restaurants,
clubs, and even in kthe family circle.
According to some statistics lately pub
imperial revenue for the year 1928 pro-
flied to the extend of 1,056, ,838 marks from
this practice of card playing, no fewer
than 1921, ,946 packs of cards having been
bought and used in Germany during the
twelve months. 1t was mainly owing to
the efforts of Prince Bismarck, when Prus-
sian member of the old diet of Frankfort,
that public gaming tables in Germany
were abolished, but the vice which he en-
deavored to put down was merely thus
compelled to assume a new form.
That this is so was proved to-day by the
trial of Reuter- for professional hazard
playing" of which he was found guilty.
and for which he was sentenced to eight
months Imprisonment, with fine of 5000
marks, bail to the extent of 10000 marks
being demanded of him. II
formed an additional count in the
Indictment againt him that when ar
rested in a fashionable restaurant here he
endeavored to soften the heart of his cap
turer by Shipping into his hand thousand
mark note: but Prussian officials, no mat
ter of what grade, are the most incorrupt
lble of human beings. Reuter- lived in
fine West-end street house in great style
He discounted bills at high rate, went tc
all the chief watering places, attended al
the race courses, and enjoyed the services
of an adroit confederate, with whom ht
managed to fleece opponents to the tune
of as much as 100000 marks at sitting
He consorted much with officers and othe
aristocratic gamblers and with sporting
men,-and all the Jewish youth and the
jeu1eSse dorec of Berlin affected TO b.
sporting men, hitherto an unknown rae
in Germany,-and was sort of peripateti
bank for needy players at trente ct quar-
ante, roulette, makao, and similar game
of hazard. Once he won from a companion
10000 marks, and contented himself wit
the payment of less than a third O
the sum. At last, however, his invariabl
good luck led his victims to suspect falls
play, and, although this could not be clear
ly brought home to him, he has now bee
made an example of. A peculiar thing
about the reports of his trial in this even
ings newspapers is that the witnesses i
it are not mentioned by name. Witnes
R--or Banker Sis all the descriI
ton that is vouchsafed.
On July IL the Times corresponder
telegraphed: The charge of -poisonin
brought against Lieut.. Sucker has ne
been clearly proved against the accuses