Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-06
CAREER OF CRIME,
Critic of Governor Taft Identified as ar
Ex-Convict

Ex-Convict.
Edgar G. Bellairs, author of a book on
the Philippines, containing hostile comment
on the administration of Governor Taft
has been identified as an ex-convict men,
toned in Thomas Byrnes professional
Criminals in America" az &c. Bauentine
alias Ernest AlIaine Cheiriton, forger and
swindler." Rellafrs or BallentIne was given
employment by the Associated Press during
the Santiago campaign, served as a CORES
pondent at Santiago and Havana during
part OF the American occupa ton of Cuba !;
was sent to China and the Philippines and
finally discharged by the Associated Press
After his dismissal aud return to the United
States he wrote a book, "As it Is in the
Philippines" 1t was this work which di-
rected attention to him and led to his dis
covery.
Melville E. Stone, general manager of the
Associated Press, has made the following
statement in regard to "Bellairs:"
were looking for men. Beilairs had been
working for the New York Evening Post,
and one of my assistants employed him to
do some work at Santiago, just after the
battles. He was a military man and every
thing looked very well. Subsequently, at
the request Of General Wood, Bellairs was
transferred from Santiago to Havana l
heard rumors concerning him and proposed
was all right, and begged us to keep him.
While l still had the matter under consfd-
Grafton I resigned as general manager OF
the Associated Press to organize corpora
ton in New York known as the Associated
Press. When I returned to my office
found an assistant had sent Bellairs to
China, and later he was transferred to Ma
Mia.
II received an intimation from Florida
that he had been in the penitentiary. and
went down to the Pfhkertons and saw Rob-
ert Pinkerton. and he had Relairs record.
I at once sent Mr.. Eagan. one OF our best
men, to Manila to relieve Bellairs and dis
charged him. The man is very plausible
swindler and Is annoying me greatly by
constantly referring to his connection with
the Associated Press / think the public
should be warne 90, against him; c,
America" contains the following descrip-
ton of Ballentfne:.
''Thirty-four years old in 1895. Born
in England. journalist. Single. Medium
build Height. five feet ten inches. Weight.
1876 pounds Light brown hair. light blue
eyes, fair complexion. Marks. ETC.: An
anchor i'll ink on right forearm. Very
gentiemaIay appy sa baHen.ine is a
swindling people from the time he entered
Cheltenham College, In England, nineteen
years ago.
s.He made a,beok on the principal Eng
lish races while in that school as shrewdly
and as proftably as the most expert gam
bier. His everyday companions were sac
rifced on the gambling altar. and the ex-
travagances OF this youth came from the
pockets Of the indulgent fathers of mis-
guided sons
His name is not Ernest Allaine Cheiri-
tom e. Elaine nor e. A. Cameron, His
real name Is Charles BaHentine. and he IL
the son of a clergyman in, Norfolk county
England.
Since he left cheltenliam school he has
been living on his wits. He has visited
every country on the face of the globe and
the number Of his victims runs Into the
plays is that of O society confidence man.
The best families of England. France, Aus
tralia and Canada have been taken in by
his suavity. The famous French watering
place. Dieppe was the scene of his first
professional operations. He went to Diepoe
as an English swell. and left there after q
four weeks visit with lot of money.
owing an immense hotel bill. His move