The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-26
THAT SPANISH GAME AGAIN
Alleged Prisoner Tries to
Swindle Jersey City
Man.

There have been number of attempts
made to swindle unsuspecting Americans
since the Spanish American war. The
most recent was made on Jersey City
business man of repute He presented
the following letter to Chief Murphy last
night
Barcelona. 10 May, 1899
stDear Sir-I address you these letters
and 1 confide in you absolutely what I
am going to tell you.
"I am in prison in the city. For that
reason 1 decide to confide in you a secret
of great Importance by which you may
obtain great utility if you help me save
the fortune of my daughter and mine.
81 was Colonel of the Spanish Army
under General Vara de Rey during the
war between United States and Spain. l
was in the battle of the Caney with the
troops of General Vara de Rey. l was
the depository of the money General
Blanco had sent to Vara de Rey and was
commissioned for going to Mexique to buy
provisions for the army in case it would
be in fault because it will not might ar
rive steamers from Spain on cause OF
blockade of the American. Navy. When
ing to be made prisoner I occult bury the
sum of 100000 pesetas in a solitary place
and taking all kinds of precautions I draw
a plan of all the place and signalments.
I went Immediately to Santiago de Cuba
where l was made prisoner and conduced
to United States after when we were put
in liberty 1 came to Santiago | take the
money and return to United States, but
not as military, but disguised as
particular and deposited the money in
bank in New York to the name OF
assistant Immediately l return to incor-
porate in my regiment to go back to
Spain hestitated very much before TAX
ing that money, but seeing treason and
disloyalty in the Spanish government and
it's generals, l decide to do it for to
secure fortune for my daughter.
when l arrived in Spain had to sub
nit to an interrogatory about the mon
ey General Blanco having reported the
money intrusted to me, l declared when
taken prisoner the American troops took
the money from me against my protest,
my declaration havnt been satisfactory
have been condemned for malversatlon OF
money to five years of prison and pay the
charges of process.
1.-THE talon of the bank had occult it in
a secret very well disimulated VINO has
one of my trunks and 1 wait to leave to
pass some time for returned and retire the
money to the Bank. Unfortunately my
baggage and all my effects was seized,
my baggage will be sold by public auction
according judgment who has pronounced
against me by which 1 have been con-
4 tn < ire Of
prison and to the charge of process my
baggage will be sold at public auction. In
order to get the money in the bank 1t is
necessary to pay the charges of the pro-
cess to get the trunk and the talon who
is in the secret is in the trunk. Sometime
after my arrest my wife die, and my
daughter was deposited in an orphan
house.
"If you are disposed to help me in these
critic situation l offer you one fourth
part of the quantity who is in the Bank
1t is necessary for you to come to Bar
celona to pay the charges for the pro-
cess and to take possession of my bag
gage the quantity to pay is ATS Pesetas
equivalent to $50 dollars, as you may see
by the copy of the judgment send en-
closed. MY assistant who Is person OF
great confidence to me he will accompany
YOU to make the formalities necessary.
AS soon as my baggage is in your pos
session you return to the United States
with my daughter and Mr.. Antonio Gar
cia. nv assistant for retire the money
and he will give you what 1 have offer
YOU for the great service that you make
me- await your answer by return OF
courrier if Won accept my offer Please
address me your answer to
"ANTONIO GARCIA
"Calle de Sarria "a
"Hosta fanderas
Barcelona
Spain
"Instead of your signature put A. F.
I shall do the same to avoid detection.
Mr.. Garcia will bring your letter to me.
When you arrive in London write me
again for instructions. If you cannot
come to Spain and you have confidence in
me send me a check in the name of An
tonia Garcia.
Yours faithfully,
.FERNADO ALVAREZ
Accompanying this letter is what pur-
ports to be record of the proceedings of
a general court martial held in Barcelona,
in Spanish, and with it copy in English
showing that Colonel Fernando Alvarez
was convicted of malversation of money
confided to him to purchase supplies for
the Spanish army. This is an official look
ing document with a large blue seal of
the coat of arms of Spain and signed
with the names Juan Martenez. Edwardo
Palacio and Manuel Sieto