The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-26
PLOT TO RECOVER
DIAMONDS Fooled
Curious Revelations Follow
Seizure of Gems.
PLAN TO CLAIM JEWELS HERE.
1t Was Arranged That Another own
er should Appear II Government
Authorities Found and seized the
Stones-Scheme Fails to Work

NEW YORK. Feb. 26.-what is REGARDED
| by the United States officials as a play
TO win $4,000 worth Of diamonds has lust
I failed Of It's purpose and the Gems are
still safely locked up in the Government
| safe.
The diamonds were seized by a Treas
ury agent from Michael Leinkrau. Who
arrived on the Kronprinz Wilhelm on sun
I day. They were worn in leather belt
Commissioner Shields in the Federal
I Building was visited yesterday by a law
| yer, who attempted to make formal de-
mand for the diamonds He said that he
had been retained by a friend Of William
Goldwaser. a diamond merchant Of Ant
werp. the real owner Of the diamonds,
who was on his way to America.
The caller said that Goldwaser had sold
10 Grensweig, liner & Co, diamond mer-
chants. Of No los HeranthaIs street
Antwerp. diamonds on memorandum
worth So, 600 The lawyer said he had
received cablegram from GoIdwaser
announcing the failure Of the firm and
the disappearance of one Of the partners
/ with his gems. which had been given TO
Michael Leinkram, who tried to smuggIe
them into this country and was caught.
Commissioner Shields Eyes Open.
Commissioner Shields was an inter -sted
but not a convinced listener. and he be-
came stI more increduIous when his
visitor asked that the diamonds be turned
over to him or returned to their limo
cent owner. William GoIdwaser in Ant
werD.
Investigation Of lists Of arriving pas
seusers showed that one William Cold
waser. Of Antwerp arrived in New York
by the Campania. almost az the same hour
that Leinlrau reached port
Commission Shield. referred his caller
TO Assistant United states Attorneys
Hougbton and King. but these gentlemen
told MIN that the case was not before
them officially and they could take no ac-
ucn until it was They advised him TO
await developments He said be could
produce cables from William Goldwaser
10 show that he WAS an authorized repre-
sentative.
The government officials believe that
the plan was arranged in advance Of the
attempt 10 smuggso the diamonds so that
in case they were seized what appeared
get them returned to their owners in
Antwerp.
Other Frauds Hinted at.
Isidore Hochberger. Of No. 81 Maiden
Lane. is the New York representative Of
GruEzweig. Zeiner & Co. Of Antwerp
According 20 the Treasury agents Zeiner
has three brOthers-ia- William Gold
waseT. Isidore H0ehberger and Grunz-
wcig.
When the Government agents from
Washington at work on the case were
told Of the attempt to claim the dia-
mguds they wired 10 Antwerp and were
told that the firm Of Grunsweig. Zeiner
a. Co. had not failed. that II did bust
ness al No. LOG HeTenthaI Street. not I1q
and that the spelling was not the same as
that given by Commissioner Shields
caller.
II was also learned that the sailing OF
Goldwascr 20 America was unexpected
and that none Of his friends knew he was
20 sail until the day before he departed
on the Campania.
It is said that man connected with
HOchDerger recently bought in the Ant
Werp diamond market cut stones valued
at Sll5.10 paying down 10 per. cent ana
agreeing 10 pay the balance on their ar
| rival in this country Hochberger lives
at No 65 East One Hundred and Nine
teenth Street He was visited on Mon
/ day night by one Of the Washington
I agents. who represented himself as a re-
porter. Hockberger said that he had just
seen his lawyer and mad no statement 20
make
The diamonds were appraised yester-
day at 5000 The Government agents
have authority TO make application for
warrants % the United States COulrufs-
siCner
Special Treasury Agent Theubald said
yesterday that he Intended, IL possible.
TO show NJ the hearing that certain
Maiden Lane jewelers. are backing Snug
gIers Of diamonds and jewelry-