The times., 1900-12-21
THE CASFELLANE SUITS
Arguments in Paris on the Test
Case of Wertheimer.
Issue Joined on the Cross Bills of
Brac Sold by the London Dealer
Boni's Counsel Pleads Rapacity
and Fraud in the Transaction.

PARIS, Dec. 20-The cross suits oi
Count Boni de Castellane and Charles
Wertheimer. the London brie-a-b brac deal
er, came up for hearing in the First
Chamber OF the Civil Tribunal today
Until the last moment ii was expected
that an agreement would be reached by
the parties to the suits, and it was proba-
bly, this fact that caused slight attend
ance. The only persons present were the
habitues, attendants of the court, steno-
graphers, journalists. ans loafers and ILL
dressed women who were seeking warmth
rather than excitement.
Senator Guerin, ex-Minister of Justice,
opened the case in behalf of NJ. Davilliers,
a banker of Paris, who is the correspond
ent Of Cook, a London banker. NJ. Guerin
said that Count de Castellane had told
Wertheimer that he had deceived him
about the substance of the article pur-
chased, and had asked him to reduce his
account by 100000 francs. and also 10
aDnul certain operations.
Advocate Foucauld. representing Vert
heimer. made a speech which was strictly
argumentative. He set forth his clients
rights at length and asked for the entire
payment of the bills which represented
an agreed value for objects delivered, the
invoices of which the CasteIlanes had ac-
cepted. He said that the Castellanes in
1897 bought antiquities. signing bills to
order, which were not paid on presenta
ton long correspondence ensued
Count de Castellane asking for delays and
Wertheimer granting them
Meanwhile Count de Castellane sold the
articles to chappe. but did not pay Vert
heimer. Foucauld severely scored Count
de Castellane. and recalled old Marquis
de Castellane. Finally he said Count de
Castellane asked for a reduction of 2.OO0,-
coo francs. restitution of certain objects
deposited with Wertheimer and a judicial
estimate of the value of the objects sold
Wertheimer refused this. but granted de-
lay for Count de Castellane 20 go to
America, where he received moral ocun-
ST instead of pecuniary assistance.
hen tutors substituted themselves for
De Castsllane and abandoning his friendly
tore. the count began to make threats.
whereupon Wertheimer allowed the law
suit to proceed.
Advocate Bonner. who appeared for
Count de Castellane, made a most eloquent
speech, which visibly stirred the audience.
He demolished each point NJ Foucauld had
made and said it was necessary in the in
terests of public morality that the suit
should take place. He referred to the
maneuvres of Wertheimer. of which he
said Count de Castellane was the victim.
Wertheimer feared a suit. and did every
thing in his power to prevent it Count de
Casteliane. he added. affirmed that he
never received invoices or accounts
Each delay asked for had been granted
on condition that he make new purchases,
leaving greater profit for Wertheimer.
who finally proposed exchanges that were
ali to his own advantage and increased
Count de Csstellane's debts. This con-
tinued until Wertheimer. becoming intol-
Grant. Count de Castellane went to Amer
lea All was changed when the Goulds re-
quired accounts. lawsuit might have
been avoided. Wertheimer was now will
ing to grant new delays. but Count de
Castellane showed courage and engaged in
suit for the sake of public morality. Mr.
George Gould also favored 1t. because he
saw that the Castellanes had no sufficient
idea of the value of money.