Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-03-16
PRISONER SAYS He FEARS KING EDWARD
Makes No Resistance, Going Quietly to
Court and Ludlow Jail
CALLS OFFENCES CHARGED MERE BUSINESS
Surprised that Parl .amsnt Had Not Settled
His Affair
YOUTHFUL NIECE ACCOMPANIES SUSPECT
Keeps Closely 90 Cabin on Voyage
from Hhvre, saying She Intends
Visiting Friends in the
United states.

NEW YORK, March 15.--J. P. Whitaker
Wright, the London company promoter
who is accused of colossal frauds in con-
nection with the organization Of various
financial corporations. was arrested today
on the arrival Of the French line steamer
La Lorraine from Havre. The arrest was
made by two central ofhce detectives at
the request Of the London police.
Wright was taken to police headquarters
and lat1r to the Tombs police court, where
he was arraigned before a magistrate and
turned over to the United States authori-
ties. He was then taken to the Ludlow
Street Jail.
Travelling with Wright was a tall, good
looking young woman who said she was
bis niece. Her name appeared on the pas
senger list as Miss f. Browne.
Fears King Edward.
When told he was under arrest Wright
showed no excitement, but said he was a
friend of King Edward. His principal con-
cern was TO avoid publicity and he asked
that his arrest be kept from the newspa-
perB.
Wright and his companion we're entered
on the original passenger list as NJ. An
dreoni and Mile. Andreonl, but soon after
leaving Havre he told the purser that a
mistake had been made in making the tick
cts out In the name of Andreoni. His name,
accordingly, was changed and appeared on
the additional list as Mr.. J. w. Wright,
and that Of the woman as Miss F. Browne.
Wright is thus described in the cable
message from the London police:
Absconder charged on warrant with fraud
to large amount Whitaker Wright,
manager of London Globe Finance corpora
tion of this city Age, 80; height. 8 feet 10
mustache, dark; large head, small eyes,
receding forehead. small chin. with fieshy
about 252 pounds; wears gold-rimmeI
glasses, with gold chain attached; speaks
rest rest Il s possible and wire commissioner of
police, London. t
This description did not At the man as
to details. 1t was a good general descrip
tlon. however.
Mere Matter of Business.
:, wright ana the young woman occupied
None of the finest deck suites on the ship.
Wright was sitting at desk In his cabin
when found by the detectives. When ad-
ldressed by name he at once admitted his
identity and being told that he was
under arrest at the request OF The London
police. said:
That was a business transaction. l un-
derstood that the matter was ali settled in
am willing TO 20 with you. All want is to
get away from here with as little noise
possible Don't let the newspapers know
anything about this.
They then went on deck and the woman,
Miss Browne. was told quietly by Wright
Of his arrest. With an officer on each side
of him he was escorted down the gang
way and taken to court. where detectives
explained the arrest in a few words. Two
United States marshals appeared with a
a. uYrt. - L
with being fugitive from justice. Wright
was not called upon to say anything and
in a few minutes he was formally turned
over to the custody of the marshals. who
took him to the Ludlow street Jail.
Miss Browne, who was left on the pier,
remained to look after the baggage She
is rather tall, slender person, dressed
In dark blue and was wearing n rather
broad -brimmed, low-crowned hat, draped
with a iimsy light blue veil. She de-
clined to make any statement beyond that
she had come over to visit friends After
her baggage had been examined she left
In a cab, instruCting the driver to go to
an uptown hotel.
Nothing was known on La Lorraine as
to the identity OF the pair. They made no
friends. and Wright appeared in public hut
little.
La Lorraine left Havre about p. M on
March Z. Wright and his companion came
down to Havre the train that after
moon. They went at once to their cabins.
During the trip across Miss Browne did not
appear on deck until the vessel was one
day from port. Wright spent most Of HE
time in his suite.
Wright Threatens His Prosecutors.
Mr.. r.lwright in the course OF a long con-
versauon with a reporter said tonight:
carpot express to you my amazement at
my arnst II IS an outrase ana those whj
10 the Suii extent OF the is%. The entire
charge Ngainst me Is technical and in thi ;
country 70 one would ever think OF making
II mai believed it possible that such 1
charge tould be made would not, OF
devoted M last two years in assisting the
otnctal hqN0ation OF the Globe company.
statement v Parliament that II was not
possible 10 lress any charge against me- /
British Colupbia to inspect certain minin :
properties tihre; to visit California, where
/ have some Interests, and TO return home
ests OF vsriou\ kinds
1t is now mSe than two years since tha
Globe companAfailed. There was a public
inquiry more An a year ago. after which
IL was deolaredthat my hands were ciean
that Sothlng buy errors OF judgment could
be advanced agAnst either myself or the
The men associted with me were above
suspicion, Amonghe directors, beside my
self, were the latel.Ord Dufferin. forme Il =
governor general y Canada: Lord loch,
former high commf fioner In South Africa
Lord Edward Pdham-Clinton Gere ri
Somerset Calthorp Md Robert r. Leman
They would naturaR have nothing TO do
with a company thatWas not as free from
taint OF suspicion as heir own names and
there never was ana reason Tor any OF
them 10 be ashamed'pf their connection
with me. They lost geat deal OF money
as we all did, but thaus the risk one ha {
10 take in such buSineA affatrs. They 4
we'll as myself. are as ihocent OF fraud a
the oficial prosecutors q the crown.
In making the trip aA tooK my health
into eonsidC ration. thinkg a Journey of
several months would rNtore me TO tn
Vigor OF a couple or yeks ago 1 bsva
naturally been worrying Agreat deal oveS
my anairs and have doheN great oeal M
hard work In my efforts Nssist In clear.