The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-19

Pains to Stab the Proud Husband
Father of the Count Attempts
Defense of His Son During His Alb
sence From France.
PARIS, Jan. 1S.-The alleged heavy loss
es Of Count Boni de Castellane on the
bourse were made a sensational feature
by some of the papers here today. Both
the Temps and Figaro spoke in guarded
way of the collapse of bull speculator,
whose position is said to have been badly
shaken at the last settlement by the de-
cline of certain stocks in which he is said
to have plunged. The Figaro also indi-
Gated Count Boni de Castellane fairly and
clearly by describing the speculator as
member of the chamber Of deputies, and
a prominent society man, who had not
disguised his sympathi for uncomprom,s
ing nationalism. Moreover, it was added,
he had started on a long voyage Ito find
resources to repair his broken fortunes"
The Figaro added, perhaps a little ma
liciously, that his friends hope he will
not meet with disappointment, saying:
Some patriotic causes are very ex-
pensive, and, for want of better excuse,
this pretext can always be put forward
to those who, owing to distance, are ig-
norant of many things"
The Matin openly mentioned Count de
Castellane's name and nothing but disas
trous speculations, crashes and losses
reaching as high as 20,0O0G00 Of francs was
talked of yesterday. Respecting the count
the Matin said:
But our inquiries show his losses do
not exceed three millions, he having sue
ceeded in getting straight on seven or
eight transactions Count Boni de Castel-
lane left for New York few days ago
with his wife, and it is probable the as
sistance of his brother-in-law will not be
found wanting and that he will tide over
the situation of monetary embarrass-
ment."
The Marquis de Castellane, father of
Count Boni de Castellane denies most EN-,
phatically the story that Count Beni has
failed to meet his obligations due to
bourse transactions, for the simple rea-
son, he adds, that his son has never taken
part in the alleged speculations. The mar
quis claims the fact that Count Boni
and his wife are on their way to America
has been taken advantage of, and fur
nished the opportunity for false rumors.
In the face of this denial by the mar
Quis 1t is remarkable that papers of the
standing of the Matin, Figaro and Temps
should give currency to such allegations,
and some explanation on their part will
doubtless be forthcoming.
MATHIS COMMENT.
The Matin took the opportunity to make
the following interesting remarks concern
ing Count de Castellane's position here.
1t informed It's readers that his Wifes
dot was $15oOO,OOO, which gave an income
of over $SO0,000, and that even at Paris
he could cut a figure with that, adding
"All Pansians know the grandois man
sion on the Avenue du Bois de Boulogne,
which is the hobby of his wife, who
dreamed to outvie the Vanderbilt palace
on Fifth avenue by perfect reproduction
of the celebrated castle of Blois. Count
Boni's- well-known generosity probably
explains his contribution Of $4,000 francs
to M. Deroulede, which figured In the
police chiefs report on the anti-republi-
can conspiracy.
Count de Castellane has not been post
ed on the bourse, as he is not member
If the allegations were true he would
be simply a private speculator, acting
through a broker and unable for the
moment to meet his obligation.
REPLY OF MARQUIS.
The Marquis de Castellane has written
to the Matin the following letter:
Your good faith has been abused. My
son, Count Boni, never indulged in any
bourse speculation, and consequently can
(, not have been proceeded against If he
were in Paris he himself would dispose
of this invention. III his absence his
father begs you to repair the involuntary
wrong you have done him.
Inquiries made at the best sources of
information, which, however, are not
willing to be quoted, indicate that Count
IN anticipation of a rise in stocks on ac-
count Of the expected easy British VIC
tory in the Transvaal, and the British
reverses caused such a depression that 1t
was impossible for him to meet his losses
with ready money. The speculationS are
understood to have been through private
sources, and, therefore, it is difficult to
secure absolute confirmation of the re-
ports. The matter, probably, will be set
tied privately.
The Mathis assertions were the lead
ing topic of conversation at the clubs and
other social meeting places throughout the
day. The evening papers reproduced the
story, although without in any way
guaranteeing its accuracy.
DUEL is PROBABLE.
The counts father gave a fresh turn
to the affair by writing a letter to the
editor of Figaro, Ferdinand de Rodais,
intimating that he must be prepared to
fight duel with the count on the latter s
return, or even with the marquis himself.
In the course of the communication, after
denouncing the statement of the Figaro
as "canaillerie," the marquis says
"If my son were not on the sea, for
New York. he would undertake to DEM
onstrate to you the emptiness of this
title-tattle, and would require from you
reparation on grounds he would choose.
in his absence I take his place. Your
scandalous insinuatton is mere political
trick, which others would describe as
'Dreyfusard.
The Soir, which was previously owned
by the Castelianes, and which is a strong
Nationalist organ, bitterly replying to
Figaro, which championed Dreyfus, after
speaking in flilsome terms of the count s
generosity and patriotism, says:
"It is not difficult to see the motives of
M. de Robais invectves. 1t was In ad-
vocacy of NJ. Reinach in his fight for a
seat IL parliament. 1t is in line with It's
defense of Dreyfus.'