New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-09

PRACTIsERS OF THE GENTLE ART OF
SMUGGLING DIAMONDS.

THE INCREASE IN THE DUTY FROM 10 TO % PER
CENT HAS CAUSED A GREAT FAILING OFF
IN THE AMOUNT THAT PASSES
THROUGH THE Gus
TOM HOUSE.
The Tribune recently called attention to posi-
bic Investigation by the Treasury Department into
the subject of diamond mportations. The officials,
Of course. looking at the question from the
revonuo-income point Of view. However, while they
are about it, they might extend the inquiry little
further. 1t might be well for them to examine an
other phase of the Wilson act to whether or not
IL IS oncoura ging crime That is the proper term,
for smuggling IS u crime. me Appraiser OF us
toms has reported to Washington that hitIe' II
any, revenue is derived from diamond imports. He
adds however that diamonds are more plentiful
and cheaper than they have ever been before ana
rather nclines to the belief that smuggling OF the
precious articles is carried on more widely ana
just rs successfully heretofore. Revenue tx
rcris will tell you that this is difficult question
to decide At the same time they agree that nothing
is easier to get through the Custom House or
rather past the lynxeyei officials of the service on
duty to meet incoming vessels, than Unset precious
stones AS a prominent official remarked to The
Tribune reporter:
What Is to prevent? You or or any other rcpu-
tabe-appearng citizen might come ashore and have
mis- pockets well lined with unset stones. and no
one would be the wiser. The officials have no right
to search the pockets Of tourists except In eX-
IRENE cases. Such cases arise whore Information
has been received in one way another that such
or such "A passenger has left the other side with
large quantity OF diamonds In his or her posses
sion which he or she - determined to smugglc past
the Customs authorities. Any person OF respectable
appearance, therefore. Is comparatively safe lie
may be foolish enough to exploit his intention on
board ship. and the word may be whispered in the
ear of the revenue officers by par or even by
one of the passengers whose sense OF honesty IL
touched and then extreme measures are adopted;
but such instances are rare indeed
STRONG TEMPTATION.
1T is my judgment as an indvidua-for az an
official / have no right to crtcisc the acts OF my
administra ,ion-that the wilson bill. with It's -
Der cent duty on cut diamonds. Is placing pr
MUM upon dishonesty and inviting smuggling. IN
der the former law the duty 10 per cent. anl
there Was not much temptation TO eVade the
duty \ person VIII pay 800 on n $40" diamond
for instance; but when II comes 20 paying 500 ne
VIII argue with his conscience during the entire
voyage and win against that silen; monitor at last
As values rise, the jury is on his Side with les.
friction And ii II IN" easiest thing IN the world
"A traveller Of dgnihed and we.i-dressei presence
canno, be- distinguished from millionaire. lie may
purchase stone valued at $500 have Il Set In
heavy gold band and wear II on his finger Noth.ns
j. To- prevent his passing the oio rs win that ring
on q finger. Yet his entire living capital may be
invested in IT for purpose, of profit and once pas
the port Ae has at least so" In slight On his invest
mont Il + the price u MS dishonesty, hut MS con-
science won't trouble him ln the slightest degree.
fo~ +, Is not considered crime 20 beat his Uncle
samuel Profcss0 nal sruusgl,rs are pretty c.o+c'y
watched on the other s.l" 'f the ocei'. as many
OF them are known. but thoy ciaio the "tichilI-
r,ss + the officers A. for searching IN many cases
% search an individual passenger wou1 Doe as
tinct outrage. Especially IS ;nls true Of women.
nni the officers have riga Instructions 70 eNercis.
tie utmost care and prudence. ana u ih" riga; e..
search were extended too far you can imagine tho
how, that would go up from tho country"
DIAMONDS As PERs )NAL EFFECTS
The issue is one Of great difficulty can br
seen because Of the values that may d" carried 10
an inconsp!cu0us fashion or visible ~ pcr'nA e.
fec,s OF course II steeraee passenger "ere io
try 10 pass with fingers loaded VIII sparkling brill
iants his antoce1ent rights would DE pat th.onsl
the crucible Of cross examination in-i"ni'F II is
Impossible to secure at the Custom House the rg-
ures pertaining exclusively 70 diamonds. NJ the
tables are kept with regard 10 the total va.uo ~
precious stones imported. However. these are sig
nlncant IL must De remembered that under the
Mckinley tariff measure uncut stones were al
mitted free Of duty. From May l. lSo % Sfpiei1-
Der l. 1885, the amount imported was S@i.3& F.
the same time. and under the same law tho Tn
rorta,lons u en-; stones reached to;a! amount p
SsuaS2 ON these total duty Of X'''''J ~ whf
realized az 10 pr cent Now. under the W.sln act.
the amount OF mp1rtatons Of uncut stones rom
September t. lss until January OF fhc present
year was $3.50 O. realizing duty 4 N'iN1 p at
10 per cent For the same time the amount % I'M
uor,ati,us Of cut stones Wts GlOSi. aI1 the duty
rcl.zcl ai % per cent was fn5 Zll 70 The eNc'--
Of duty collected under tho Wilson act - therefore
Siso.27C g.
Tho main difference however. f. found In the I'm
portaiion % uncut stones. a. p.ny shown II does
no, prove that the number % cu stones brought 10
this side has decreased does q sustain The cln
tention that the - per cent duty for cut diamonds
has increased the dlamond-cutang Industry In this
country.
Colonel Dudley F. Phelps. head Of the Inw Diyl-
sion Of the Custom House. talked Interestingly on
the subject and remarked the difficulty in the way
Of successful detection OF fraud on the part OF I'M
coming passengers. Tho way = getting around
the officers OF the revenue service are many ami
varied. lie cited an interesting case In point \
few years ago word received from tho Minister
In Paris that a man, whose name wa given. w'ui
try to eya1e the officers with large amount -
diamonds on the arrival Of the French liner the
officers took possession Of the man. and. drawing
him into a private room. stripped him looked do
his throat. and massage1 him thoroughly 70 see Ina;
he was not possessed Of an elastic skin. rn'y
pierced every microscopic particle OF his clothing
with fine needles. went through his cnec.s ana the
bedding OF his stateroom Ike destroying angels.
and found-nCthnG. The tourist was indignant lie
stormed and threatened and used strong language.
and sgore by the boards of those OF his ancestors
who wore boards that he would never return to this
country should he reach home. The officers
were completely sumped. The victim did start
for home on the return trip OF the steamer.
and n short time thereafter the East flooded
with cheap diamonds.
RUSE WHICH WAS SUCCESSFUL
How did he do II? The detective thought deeply.
but with no result Months afterwarl anony-
nous letter received at the Custom House stat
in might to
on a certain steamer Concealed In a porous plaster
which he would be wearing upon his back. sup
posedly for health would be thirty-nine diamonds
Of Oriental maenifcence He would be accompanied
by a partner In crime who would travel az his ply
scian. Well the same officers were chosen TO receive
--L.-L-. .CaLl-- i-.k-.