The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-25
COL" GOURAUD'S TRICKS
ALLEGED OFFICER FOR WHOM
AMERICANS BLUSH IN LONDON.
Advertising, Himself at the Expense
of the American Legation at
the Sirdar Receptions.
New York Press.

New York Press.
Colonel George Gouraud or Gourand, who
passed as an officer in the United States
army, has been disgusting the members of
the American colony in London, and even
has used the American embassy as means
of his own self-advertisement. Recently,
when the sirdar. Lord Kitchener. arrived in
Dover from Egypt. Gouraud who was there.
pressed in in advance of Lieutenant Colonel
Bates and Lieutenant Colwell, the army and
navy attaches. respectively. of the Ameri-
can embassy, and welcomed the sirdar in the
name of the American Republic. which he
asserted to represent.
Now he has come out in an offer to guar
antee 5000 on behalf of himself and the
United States for the sirdars Khartum
memorial college fund
There is story connected with how Gou-
raud succeeded in imposing himself in the
van at the Dover reception to Lord Kitch-
ener. a
On the day that the sirdar arrived at
Dover Gouraud telephoned to Colonel Bates
and Lieutenant Colwell, asking If they
would like to go to Dover to meet the sir
dar. If they desired to go Gouraud said he
would telegraph to his friend, the mayor of
Dover, asking for invitations.
IIeut6Ld0l COLONEL bdt0S anu IlcutSudiI
Colwen accepted and soon received tele-
graphic invitations from the mayor OF
Dover.
1t was discovered subsequently by the two
American officers that Colonel Gouraud did
not know the mayor of Dover, but on the
strength of Lieutenant Colonel Batess ac-
ceptance of his offer, Gouraud telegraphed
to the mayor, requesting invitations, in the
0ft he far Dofn md
Colwell. 1t was not learned until later.
either, that the three went to Dover in a
special carriage, free, which Gouraud had
obtained by means of representations SINH
lar to those made to the mayor of Dover.
Bates and Colweil both supposed they were
going in their private capacity and had no
idea that Gouraud was posing as an official
of the embassy.
But when the Dover mayor greeted them,
the true situation dawned Lieutenant
Colonel Bates, and SO, when he was well
coined by General Butler, the British COM
mander of the local forces, he only intro
duced Lieutenant Colwell, thinking Gouraud
would take tumble" But that individual
was equal TO the OCCASION ana promptly in
troduced himself. Later, when the steamer
carrying the SlrGar neared the pier, General
Butler invited the American officers ABOARD
to meet Lord Kitchener. Lieutenant Colonel
''SS'NN-
take advantage of a more hitting opportun-
ity, but Gouraud Went aboard, elbowed his
way to the sirdar. and greeted him etrusiVe-
ly in behalf of the United States.
At the banquet which followed the sir
dar's arrival, GouTaud still posing as an
official representative, had arranged that
he should reply to the toast of The Amer
lean Forces which was to be proposed by
MIR. Wingfield, the British under secretary
learned of this he Immediately explained
matters to the Dover mayor and the toast
was eliminated from the programme.
On their return to London the American
officers cut Gouraud and told him that their
acquaintance must end.
Besides imposing himself upon the sirdar,
the mayor of Dover and the American en-
bassy, Gouraud played similar trick upon
the lord mayor of London at the Guildhall
banquet, to which he obtained invitations
by means of his representations.
Later he sent inane letters TO the London
papers, one of which the Times really print
ed. The letter is addressed to Lord hitch-
ener. congratulating him ON behalf OF the
Of the Veterans OF the civil war with whom
Gouraud Identifies himself. He signs him
self: Sometime aid-de-camp on the stan
of General Sherman, commander-in-chiet OF
Following an this, Gouraud has induced
the London Black and White to reproduce
his picture, and publish his guarantee OF
5000 TO the Gordon memorial fund. On the
subject Black and White says:
"It is pleasant to reflect that Colonel
Gouraud, OF the United States army, Is not
his country, when he guarantees Gl,OOO Tor
the sirdars now famous proposal That the
British College at Khartum will be aided
by American money appears to us sig
nifcant circumstance, and argues q cor
dialty and closeness OF feeling long absent
In British-American relations. Both ma
tons have right TO feel greatly gratlhed,
for deeds speak louder than words and al
though this sum Is nothing IL represents u
solid and tangible proof of amity and re-
ciprocation, which we may hope Will prove
lasting. The Presidents message, In so far
as this country Is concerned, breatheS q
spirit wholly friendly Regarding the Mica
ragua canal, Mr.. Mckinley spoke with very
definite voice, and at first sight his asser-
ton that the construction of the canal Is
now more than ever Indispensable, and our
policy more imperatively than ever calls
for It's control by this government may
seem calculated to strain the existing UNI
Outstanding; but circumstances alter cases,
and this country will be the first to admit
the facts. Therefore, when the question
calls for settlement we have a right to hone
II Will be approached In a friendly spirit by
the nations involved"
This recalls the actions OF the same Col.
George Gouraud when Ii Hung Chang was
visiting this country. The so-called colonel
constituted himself a sort of major domo
for Ii and talked OF building railroads in
| China with freedom that stamped him as
q man of ideas, If not of means. At the
time the newspapers told of his queer con-
ceits
He obtained an option on all the hotels in
| Niagara Falls while he was there and pro-
| posed 10 make II the most wonderful spot
in the world but he failed to come to time,
and his wonderful projects were soon for
gotten He has represented himself at times
as n partner Of Thomas A. Edison, and
when last heard of in his country was going
TO London to represent the Edison phono-
graph.
Needless to say, army officers in Wash
ington do not know Gouraud as a soldier,
nor does his name appear in the regular
army records.