New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-04

recover the fortune Of the Begums Austrian
husband, being perfectly aware OF i's non SN''o
cnce Uc WIS accordingly sentenced 70 seven
years, pepal ser,,tudc and TO degradation from
the rank Of nobieman. During the course OF
the trial Count SchocnboTn, vino has now De-
come Minister of Justice actually had the fcmcri-
~ 70 avail himself Of the fact that the Emperor
had lust conferred upon him scat in the House
of Peers 10 address a letter 10 DR.. Hechenbcrgcfs
the presiding Judge" requesting him to DE-
friend the Baron and 10 dismiss the crlm'hai
charge against him. With unusual moral cour-
age the Judge read this most extraordinary ooc"-
mcnt, which was written on the oniciai paPr
of the House of Lords aloud 10 the open court,
and its contents caused an immense sensation ~
the time throughou the Empire. Not only dld
Count Schoenbcrn urge in the strongest manner
the discharge OF the Baron, but he actually went
on to say that he had been able 20 secure promises
of assistance ami influence in the matter from
the Prime Minister, Count Taafc from the FOR
eign Minister Baron Haymerle, and from tho
Minister of Justice Baron Prazak. lie hnished
the letter by asserting that the Emperor, who
was aware OF his anxiety about tho Barons
fate, would scarcely have promoted him tho
Count TO a seat in the House OF Peers unless
ne had wished to demonstrate his own Imperial
interest in a nobleman highly connected az
William Won Pawel-Ramingen. All these at
tempts to intimidate the Judge were OF no avail
and only resulted in bringing Count Schoenborn's
name into public obIoquy, while his friend was
sentenced TO severer penalty.
Nor is the brother-n-aw of Princess Frederick
and the former guest OF Queen Victoria 40
Windsor Castle the only prominent member OF
the old German nobility who is now wearing
the striped garb Of convict Among the moss
noteworthy prisoners in the great penltentary
of Elberfeld is Count Schleinitz, who three years
ago was condemned TO a long term or penai
servitude for forgery and blackmail. The Count
: who is n nephew of the late Minister Of the
Imperial Household at Berlin and of the Austro-
Hungarian Ambassadress at ST. Petersburg be-
sides being related 10 all the great families In
Northern Germany, was formerly member OK
the personal staff of the late Emperor William,
| whom he served first a page-of-honor ana SUD-
seQuently equerry and alde-dc-camp. he
greatly distinguished himself during the wars
of 500 and 1870, and besides being decorated
with the Iron Cross and the Order OF the Red
Eagle received a sword of honor from his
Imperial Master and promotion 10 the rank Oh
Iieutenant-Coonel of the First Regiment OF
Guards A member of all the leading clubs,
noted figure on the turf and great favorite at
! Court, the Count scattered his money nsht and
left IN such PERCUSSION as SOMETIMES 10 pIONoNo
! INQUIRIES as 10 the source Of such wealth, since
il was pretty well known that his private fortune
had been dissipated early in his career
About four years ago a newspaper published ut
Berlin, called The INDEPENDENT was seized by
the police and its editor thrown into jail Tor
! blackmail of the most fragrant kind. During the
course of the judicial invest cation Of the case, IL
was shown that the accomplce OF the editor
was no other than Count Schlentz, who COM
municated to the former the secrets Of his rela-
tives and friends for the purpose of placing them
| in a condition to be blackmailed. The money
thus extorted from them divided equally
between the editor OF The Independent and
the Count. The greatest influence was brought
to bear for the purpose of having the matter
hushed up But it was already too late, as the
news of the Counts culpability had become pub
lie property, and in the hope of evadng arrest
he made his escape to London Finding how
ever that a demand had been addressed TO the
English police for his capture and eNtraditon
he determined to return 10 Berlin and TO face
the music. Brought before court-martlal pre-
sided over by General Count Won Wartenslebcn,
he was condemned to degradation from his mill
tary rank and to long term of penal servitude.
the first two years of which were to be passed
in solitary confinement in the old Moabit prison
at Berlin. II is needless to add that the scandal
caused an immense sensation throughout Ger
many at the time and hastaned the death OF the
prisoners uncle the old Minister of the Imperial
Household.