The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1884-11-05
THE WHOLE STORY DENIED.

pnncsc Official Says-Au Eminent
Banker KcitcrntcS the Statement
That She was Killed
(From the New York Truth, October 2Sth. }
The reported death of the famous
Mrs. Bccchcr in Japan, under the most
tragic circumstances. has led to great
many contradictions ans! rcaSscrtions.
We feel bound to state that the report
was received by us from responsible
parties, and vouchcd for by prominent
banker Of this city. 1t was published
in good faith, and should it prove not to
be true, it will afford relief to many
persons who yet remember Mrs Beech
or with kindly feelings. \ responsible
gentleman called at this Office last night
and showed us letter purporting to
come from Mrs. Bcccher from Switzcr-
land. According to that letter Mrs.
Bcccher was ut Maricnbad, Switzerland,
as lately rs September 9th last, and re
siding with her husband, the Count
PourtalcS. If this be true, news Of
her return to Japan and Of her cxccu-
ton could hardly have reached here so
soon.
A DENIAL. FROM THE JAPANESE consul
Mr.. w. Wallace Hastings, assistant
secretary consulate Of Japan was seen
by one of our reporters yesterday about
the matter. Mr.. Hastings was some
what moved, and madS decisive coun-
reinstatement. lie said he wished to
speak i'll the name Of the Japanese con-
sui. In the first place, there WAS no
law or custom in Japan which Furnishes
Il mistress for intidelity. "1'he law
there with regard to women Of ill-famc
is the same rs herc-a lcwd woman, in
case OF life or death, being protected bv
the law as much as any man. [ do not
think 1t necessary to give any proof of
this, rs it is plainly evident to any who
will take the trouble to look into the
Japanese laws, and l do not wish to give
the story amy more publicity than posSi-
BILE He continued "Thc Japanese
officials, as officials, are scrupulously
careful about their private connections
as well as public careers. | do not
speak Of the Japanese people in general,
but of the officials AS public officers who
have public trusts"
When asked how the story could have
originated, he said he could rot conceive
how it came about. "Nothing has been
in the Japanese papers about the matter
and nothing has been heard on the sub
jcct by the officials of the consulate.
1t has been stated that the CITY Of Ycd-
do was thrilled by the news Of the trag-
cdy. This is all pure fiction. | cannot un-
derStand the motive for such fabrica-
tions, and the Japanese officials feel
dep'y hurt. The nation being compar-
atively new-that is, according to mod
crn European idcaS-and having adopt
ed European usagcS, it has, if in no 9TH
or way, cvinced its ambition to he con-
Sidcrea ut least moral. And such Il
charge against one Of the highest Off
cials in the realm is heavy setback to
the nations advance. 1t is mistaken
idea that Americans and Europeans la
Dor under to consider the Japanese
Government deSpotic. There is as
much political liberty there rs here.
The highest official III well Is the low
est peasant, is amenable O the law.
There is Il very high sense Of honor
among the commercial and governing
classes in Japan. An official who has
broken his word is ostraciscd'
Reporter: Have you any othor rca-
son for discrediting the story?
Mr.. Hastings: Yes there has been
no such report in the japanese papers.
Reporter: Don't you suppose the
fact Of the prime minister being concern
cd would account for the suppression of
the news in the Japanese papers
Mr.. Hastings: No, do not.
ANOTHER DENIAL.
In other quarters it is stated that
Madame Pourtalcs has been living happi-
ly with her husband over since her