The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-19
Story Reiterated by Leading Paris
Newspapers, which Say the Count
Has Been Very Extravagant.
NOW EN- ROUTE TO AMERICA
AND THEREFORE, HAS NO OPPORTU-
NIFTY TO DEFEND HIMSELF.
The Count Alleged to Have Invested
with the Expectation of Britain
Easily Defeating Beers.


of Count Boni de Castellane on the Bourse
were made a sensational feature by some
of the papers here to-day. Both the Temps
and Figaro spoke in guarded way of the
collapse of a bull speculator. whose posi-
ton is said to have been badly shaken at
the last settlement by the decline of GER
tain stocks In which he Is said to have
plunged. The Figaro also indicated Count
Boni de Castellane fairly and clearly by
describing the speculator as member of
the Chamber of Deputies and prominent
society man who had not disguised his
sympathies for uncompromising national
ism. Moreover. it was added, he had
started on long voyage ito find resources
| to repair his broken fortunes" The Figaro
added, perhaps little maliciously. that his
| friends hope he will not meet with disap-
| pointment, saying: ''Some patriotic causes
are very expensive, and for want of bet
ter excuse this pretext can always be put
| forward to those who, owing to distance,
| are ignorant 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 2O.00O,0O0 francs were
talked of yesterday. Respecting the count.
the Matin says: But our own inquiries
| show his losses do not exceed 100000
francs. he having succeeded in getting
straight on seven or eight transactions
Count Boni de Castellane left for New
York few days ago with his wife and 1t
| is probable the assistance of his brother
| in-law will not be found wanting and that
he will tide over the situation of monetary
embarrassment"
| The Marquis de Castellane, father Of the
count, denies most emphatically the story
| that Count Boni has failed to meet his
obligations, for the simple reason, he adds,
| that his has never taken part in the
alleged speculations. The marquis explains
| that the fact that Count Boni and his
wife are on their way to America has
| been taken advantage of and furnished the
| opportunity for false rumors.
THE MATHIS INSINUATIONS
In the face of this denial by the Marquis
| it is remarkable that papers of the stand
| ing Of Matin. Figaro and Temps should
give currency to such allegations, and some
explanation on their part will doubtless be
| forthcoming. The Matin took the oppor-
tunity to make the following interesting
| remarks concerning Count De Castellane's
his wifes dot was fifteen million dollars,
| which gave an income Of over $SO0,000 and
that even at Paris he could cut a figure
| with that, adding: ''All Parisians know
| the grandiose mansion on the Avenue du
Bois de Boulogne. which Is the hobby of
his wife, who dreamed to outvie the Van
derbilts' palace on Fifth avenue, by per-
] feet reproduction of the celebrated castle
| of Blois. Count Bonis well-known gener-
| osity probably explains his contribution of
$4,000 francs to M. Deroulede. which figured
] in the police chiefs report on the anti
| Republican conspiracy"
Count De Castellane has not been posted
| on the bourse as he is not a member. If
| the allegations were true he would be
simply private speculator acting through
| a broker and unable for the moment to
meet his obligations.
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 specu-
| lations and consequently cannot have
| been proceeded against. If he were In
| Paris he himself would dispose of this in
vention. In his absense 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 will
| ing to be quoted, indicate that Count De
| Castellane was involved in speculation in
anticipation of a rise in stocks on account
of the expected easy British victory in the
| Transvaal, and the British reverses caused
| such depression that it was impossible
| xxyith
| money. The speculations are understood
to have been through private sources, and
| therefore it is difficult to secure absolute
confirmation of the reports. The matter
| probably will be settled privately.
| The Mathis assertions were the leading
| 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.
The counts father gave a fresh turn to
| the affair by writing letter to the editor
| of Figaro. Ferdinand Derodas intimating
| that he must be prepared to fight a duel
| with the count on the latter's return, or
even with the marquis himself. In the
course of the communication. after de-
nouncing 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 demonstrate to you the
| emptiness OF this tittle-tattle and would re-
quest from you reparation on grounds he
| would choose. In his absence I take his
place. Your scandalous insinuation Is a
mere political trick. which others would de-
| scribe as Dreyfusard.'
The so!r. which was previously owned