The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-05
MANY GERMANS SWINDLED
Two Americans Get Their Money Under
False C0l0rs... Pretend to Be Cap.
taius in United States Army.

Berlin. Oct. 4-The United States
embassy here has learned that two
Americans, giving their names as Cap
tain George Hubbard. of New Orleans,
and Captain Fred. Williams, OF San
Francisco. both pretending to be Off
GERS in the United States army. have
been conducting a lucrative swindling
business by inveigling persons OF means
into enlisting. as they supposed, in the
United States army, and inducing
them to pay for the privilege of doing
so under promises made by the two
pretended officers that they would ex-
ert their personal influence to secure
the speedy promotion of their recruits
to the rank of lieutenant. captain, etc.
All of those who paid for their enlist
ment We're asked to meet the Cap
tain at the Lehrte railway station one
day last week for the purpose Of ar
ranging for their passage to America.
Many of them made their appearance
at the station, but failed to find the
Captain"
The dupes then went to the United
States consulate to seek redress. and
were there informed that the Cap
tains' were not known to any one at
tached to the consulate. and, more
over, that Germans enlisting in for
eign army We're violating the laws OF
Germany. The swindlers appear TO be
German. Americans.
Some details of the swindle are very
amusing, Two young Germans enlist
ed with Hubbard and Williams, and
paid them the money they demanded,
but becoming suspicious. wanted to
have the Captains identified at the
United States consulate. The Cap
tainS' acceded to this and readily ac-
companied their victims.
Arriving at the first floor of the
building occupied by the consul the
swinders under preteXt of ascertain
ing if the Consul would he able to see
them Immediately, went up alone to the
second floor. where the Consul's
Tins on the floor below. Instead of
going in to the Consul's offices. how
ever, they took the elevator, descend
ed to the ground floor, and hurriedly
took their departure out of the front
door, leaving their dupes waiting for
them to return to the first floor.
In another case their victim gave
them money with which to purchase
his railway ticket to the port from
which he was to embark for America.
The swindlers took the money and en-
tered the booking office, through which
they quietly passed and walked out
at the other end of the building. The
waiting victim has not seen them since.
Another incident involving claim
ant to the honor of being an officer In
the United States army Is being discuss
| ed i'm the clubs and cafes. An American
claiming to he the new military attache
to the United States Embassy to sue
ceed Captain X. X. Evans, who has
! just retired from that office, arrived at
| Hamburg from New York on Sept 25
ON the steamer Fuers. Bismarck, travel
ing second class. He wore the uniform
of an officer of the United States army,
| and when he landed he created scene
upon being confronted by the customs
| officers. He talked i'm loud and blus-
tering fashion, and threatened to make
a complaint against the customs Ofii-
cials to United States Ambassador Uhl.
| He has not yet made his appearance at
the embassy, however. nor has any ap-
! pointment yet been made to fill the post
of military attache vacated by Capt.
| Evans.