The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-25
Public Sensations Involving
Men in High Places.
BANKERS FIGTRE AS PRINCIPALS
Disclosures Of the Misdsings Of Barren
siernberg and His Conviction Followed
By the Discovery and Arrest of Other
Millionaire Baskers Who Have Been
Guilty Of Criminal iPracfiees-Demandf for
Reform Of the Detective system.

Berlin. Dec. 22-PubIic attention was
occupied wholly this week with crimes
in high places. The sentence imposed on
Sternberg. the millionaire banker. OF two
and a half years Imprisonment and five
years deprivation of civil rights. for
crimes against morality, satisfies the pub
lie conscience and is well-merited retri-
button. Sternberg rapidly acquired for
tune, estimated at eighteen millions, by
shady methods, and maintained social re-
lations with high officials a9d military
men for years while Disgusting his most
loathsome crimes IN the lowest Berlin
life. He was related by marriage TO high
officers, and was a free giver for charit-
able purposes. 1t was said In his defense
before the court that he had made will
leaving 10 the Prussian government the
bulk Of his fortune. TO establish an in
stitution for insuring laborers against loss
Of work.
Further Prosecutions.
The Sternberg case Is working wide
spread ruin among others. The death of
Won Meerscheidt Huellessem, the suspend
ed chief of the criminal department an
nounced at the same hour as Sternberg' .
sentence. had a peculiarly tragic effect.
The public instantly assumed that ke had
certify that he died OF apoplexy. Won
MeeI scheidt established a reputation by
introducing the Bertillon anthropometic
system In Germany. The case OF Stern
berg will continue long to occupy the pub
lie mind. 1t is expected Sternberg will
appeal to higher court. Furthermore,
numerous prosecutions of persons con-
neeted with the Sternberg case are pend
ing. A number OF witnesses will be tried
~ and
investigation for unprofessional conduct
or couusion to circumvent justice The
public demand for reform of the criminal
police. which did not yield fruit in 1891, in
connection with the Won Tausch case, has
now grown imperative. IL is authentical-
~ reported that the authorities are pre-
pairing measure for reform.
Ine other great case this week the ar
rest OF mortgage bankers, attracts an
immense amount of attention. The press
IS pointing out the resemblance TO the
Sternberg affair, since wealthy bankers,
moving IN the highest society have car
iled on fraudulent practices for years.
Under Pretense of Piety.
The chief offender, Sanden, mads pre-
tense of the greatest piety. He had q
private chapel in a luxurious villa at
Potsdam. His home was the center of
the highest military and aristocratic So
eiety. He was Potsdam's wealthiest citi-
zen, paying $1,000 marks yearly in taxes
II has been shown that Sanden's business
practices were most questionable. He
would compel borrowers at the bank TO
buy one of his lots at a fancy price. The
losses will fall heavily on small investors.
The fall In the shares obligation of
the two banks already represent about
Us, 600. 900 marks. 1t is considered certain
that the arrested directors will get long
terms of imprisonment for falsifying the
balance sheets.
The tariff question was most actively
discussed this week. The announcement
OF the conservative leader, Herr Won
Klinckowstroem, that the chancellor,
Count Won Buelow, IS willing 10 compro-
mise with the agrarians, makes a deep
impression. Signs multiply, however, that
the commercial classes are growing more
united against the agrarian demands
Count Won Buelow is spending the week
visiting the south German courts, ex-
planning Germany's foreign policy. He
has made everywhere the most favorable
impression, and has been dimes, wined,
and decorated with orders.
The coal syndicate's action in restricting
the production 10 per cent. while German
industries are suffering from the high
prices of coal excites much sharp dis
cussion, and will give animus 10 the
forthcoming Reichstag debate on the
resolution providing for government con-
rnI NJ ha frItC