The evening times., 1900-01-24
CONTEMPLATING In CUBA
A Plan 10 Flood the Island With
Bogus Money Frus rated.
Major Bliss Makes a Capture and
Seixes n Number of Dangerous
PIates-The Prisoner Said to Be an
Intelligent Chilean With Grim
inal Record in New York City.

The counterfeiter is the latest feature
in Cuban development About six weeks
ago it came to the notice Of Major Tasker
II. Bliss, Collector of Customs for Cuba,
that one Louis MILAN, then residing in
Havana, had in his possession plates for
the printing of counterfeit United States
notes of the five, ten, and twenty dollar
denominations. While the information
was very meagre, Major Bliss Immediately
assigned the special agents of his bureau
to the work, which progressed so well
that on December IL, MILAN was located
at II Inquisidor Street, Havana.
Accompanied by Major Pitcher, Super
visor of Police for Havana, Special Agent
Metcalf found MILAN and placed him un-
der arrest. The officers made search OF
the room for the plates and counterfeit
money, and were rewarded by finding no
less than eight copper and steel plates in
different stages of completion. They also
captured complete lithographing and
printing outfit and eleven plates, polished,
which had not been operated upon, also
camera with powerful lens and various
other articles belonging to a counterfeit
ers outfit.
While thorough search was made by
the officers of the premises in which
MILAN was discovered, no counterfeit
money was found. Major Bliss is in
clined TO believe that no money had as
yet been printed, owing to the unfinished
condition of the plates. MILAN strenu-
ously denied all criminal intent in the
matter, but finally confessed that he was
preparing 10 make counterfeit bills. He
had, in fact. made a few impressions on
one of the presses TO see IL his work was
such as would pass muster. The plates,
however, were not completed at the time
of his capture. The officers packed up the
plates and negatives and the banknote
paper, and the same are now in possession
of Customs Officer Bliss.
The War Department is very much
gratfied that the project OF flooding the
Island Of Cuba with counterfeit notes has
been promptly frustrated. Owing to the
ignorance OF the people of Cuba concern
ing our currency il VIII be seen that
counterfeiting, II successfully carried on
for any period of time. would result dis
astrously to the people OF the island They
take our money readily, and only a few OF
the natives are able 10 distinguish good
from bad money.
MILAN claims to be a Chilean by birth,
is sixty years of age, and is evidently
person of intelligence and ability. II is
believed in Havana that he has served
a term Of Imprisonment in Cuba for
forgery. He talks English very we'll,
seems to be familiar with New York. and
il is suspected that he has a criminal
record there The plates and negatives
are deposited with Major Ladd Treasurer
Of the Island OF Cuba, and the other ef-
tects in evidence are in one Of the store
rooms OF the custom house. The plates
have been marked for identification
MILAN will be tried in Cuba. When his
trial is completed the plates found in his
possession will be forwarded to the Secret
Service Division of the Treasury Depart
ment at Washington. A photograph OF
MILAN has been taken and is already in
their hands.
All the plates are United States notes.
The $50 notes have the vignette Of Ham
ilton. the $40 notes the vignette Of Web
ster. and the s. notes the vignette Of
Jackson.
MILAN has been indicted according TO
Cuban methods and will be tried in the
upper court OF the island. The plates
have been inspected by the Court Of the
First Instance and. il needed will be pre-
sented TO the higher court. No represen-
tative of the Treasury Department OF the
United States will need TO be present at
he trial