The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-11
MORE SMUGGLING THAN EVER.
THEOBALD KNOWS or JEWELS
THAT NEVER PAID DUTY.
Also He Knows the Man to Put Stop to the
Crime as We'll as He knows Himself
Says Four Pearl Necklaces worth at
Least $50, 900 Each Escaped Tax.


Says Four Pearl Necklaces worth at
Least $50. 900 Each Escaped Tax.
William II. Theobald. who used to be a
special agent of the Treasury Department,
but who retired from the service at the
request OF the Department, emerged from
private life yesterday with statement
that there is more smuggling now than
ever before Mr. Theobald adds that
there's at least one smuggler that could be
caught il Theobald were back in the Depart
ment with plenty of time and money at
his disposal
In making this statement Mr.. Theobald
says that he has Just learned that the
Diamond Cutters and Importers Protective
Association of this city had appointed
committee headed by Ludwig Nissen Of
1s John street to make arrangements for
capturing prospective smugglers. and that
Mr.. Nissen was shortly to leave for Europe
to begin the campaign. Commenting upon
the plan Mr.. Theobald said;
1T is utterly impossible for the Treasury
Department, the association or any other
large body to get any information from
the diamond polishers Of Antwerp or Am
sterdam or from the dealers in Paris and
London. Those who are affiliated with
the smuggling of diamonds make 1t a rule
when they purchase to give strict orders
that the sellers shall not inform their COM
petitors of any purchases.
Il know what is considered to be a thor
oughly reputable house doing business close
to the City Hall which has been engaged
in smuggling diamonds for the last twenty
years. This concern has one Of it's repre-
sentatives living in Amsterdam. He is a
very large purchaser of unset diamonds.
When he selects and purchases a lot of
diamonds he informs the seller that II he
ever gives information to any Of his COM
petitors he will never again purchase from
him
"This concern is in league with the purser
and chief steward Of certain big ship.
Il know both of the ships officers well.
! have tried for five years to catch the chief
member of this firm but cannot land him,
The great handicap to his capture lies In the
want of an indiscriminate use Of money.
If were back in the business and had plenty
of time and carte blanche as to money
know that could land this prize.
Il know the members OF another concern
on Maiden lane who have relatives travelling
as stewards on the Antwerp steamers,
of packages of unset diamonds for the firm
on almost every trip. / am acquainted
with still another firm that purchases from
smugglers all the diamonds that these men
surreptitiously bring in.
-Within the past few months l know Of
four necklaces that have been landed in this
country without the payment Of duty. The
cheapest one Of these is worth $50 900, and
one which was purchased in Paris cost
about $4,000
Il am not In position as private citi-
zen to go and take these Jewels, and shall
never become an informer. Although
am out of the business for all time am still
in close touch with people who are only too
glad to give me information such as al
ways have received. Secretary Shaw on one
of his visits to New York, and II remember
rightly, shortly after the seizure Of the Dulles
necklace told me that had his hearty &C.
cord in my work and that he always liked to
know that l got the big cases The big
ger the case the better it will please me,
is what he said.
IL have had any number of interviews
with Collector Of the Port Stranahan and
know that he is very determined to pre-
vent smuggling, though do not think that
he will be able to do it. l am more than
glad to think that the Importers associa-
ton has taken the initiative in this matter
through Mr.. Nissen. l predict, however.
that they will all fail unless they spend
barrels of money