New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-22

ALLEGED. OBTAINING MONEY UNDER
FALSE PRETENcEs.
A deserter from the Army who has been engaged
In securing recruits for the Army and, II Is alleged
incidentally In putting money in his pocket Is
lodged In the military prison in Castle Williams, on
Governors Island. He is Max de Schemangk. who
has had recruiting Office at No. 20 Second-ave He
has been active especially In getting Germans and
those who have seryice in the German Army
to enlist and has offered men to General Butter
field. OF Lafayette Post. and others engaged in
securing enlisted men for the Government service
In connection with this, 1t is said, he obtained
money the pea OF expenses he was mourning
and at the same time obtained credit at various
places the strength of what he was doing for the
Government Meanwhile It IS alleged. he pretended
10 the men he Induced enlist that he was able to
obtain promotions for them on the strength OF MS
alleged connection with the Regular AIRY, and 1t Is
believed tnai he induced them 10 pay him for this
purpose. II X said tha: on one occasion he ap-
peared In the Uniform OF a major at hall where
his recruits were drilling.
An officer OF the ist Artillery stationed In the
South. saw the name OF Schemangk in news
paper IN connection with his recruiting ONCE, and
recognized it as that Of a private who had deserted
from his command He sent description OF the
man 10 Governors Island and It was communicated
to General Butterneld private detective agency
was put in charge Of the case. and ii was found that
schemangk was the man wanted for desertion. He
was arrested late Friday night. and was taken 10
Governors Island on The ferTyboat ne attempted
TO destroy papers which were In his pos sess.on
They we're taken from him. and were found TO be
in German. giving his plans FOR sending money to
his wife. II was reported that he had plans OF
.or'incatons in his posses. ion. but this denied
by the officers a. the military prison
Schcmangk admitted after his arrest that he had
deserted but he sad he willing 10 enlist again
ana by good service redeem h.s record He de-
clared that ne was working FOR the Government IN
getting recruits, and what money he got he sent TO
his wiie.
General Butterheld said the. man had done good
work In getting recruits but II he had neeced them
or deceived them by raise representations ne de-
served no mercy. The prisoner was positively
Identified yesterday by Private Pockosk OF the
5th Artillery. who VII! get the Government reward
for detecting a dcserter. The detective agency
which worked up the case gave It's services without
charge. .
Schcmangk pcrsonatcd officer OF the Army he
can receive a mucn more severe penalty than Tor
desertlon. and he may spend long time INSIDE the
prison walls ot Castle Williams. A careful inquiry
Into the case will. ~ conducted by the commandant
OF Fort Columbus who has charge OF the prison ana
under Vhos. jurisdiction are nearly hundred men
ser,irg different terms OK imprisonment, some OF
whom are closely confined 20 the .OrtincatiOns. ana
others work about the buildings and grounds on
Governors Island under guard and having the letter
p" plainly painted on tnclr trousers. coats ana
hats.