New-York tribune., 1903-05-11
MUST TAKE PUNISHMENT.
NO AVAIL TO PAY DUTY.
Rigid Prosecution Of All Diamond
.SmuggIers Promised

SmuggterS PROMISED.
, In the future every person who is caugh.
smuggling diamonds into tine country VIII be
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
No social or political influence that may be
brought to bear, has been done successfully
heretofore. viii save any This positive
slrance has been given by the Treasury De-
partment to the Diamond Cutters and Imper-
ters' Protective Association, who sought such
an assurance before undertaking as they have
done. to establish system of espionage in Eu-
rope that will put effectuaI check the
smuggling of diamonds, which has grown to an
alarming extent among wealthy Americans.
As the result of recent conferences between
officers of tho Diamond Association and officials
of the Treasury Department, the former has
promised TO lend specific and material assist
ance in preventing the smuggling Of gems
from Europe. and the two agencies will here
after work in harmony. Ludwig Nissen,
prominent dealer III Maiden Lane, who chair
man of the Committee on Customs of the asso-
citation, has been chosen to go abroad to bring
about more thorough understanding between
the foreign agents of the Treasury Department
and the dealers there, and is to sail in a few
weeks. in speaking to Tribune reporter last
night said
We have most positive understanding with the
government, which sought before undertaking
this matter. If instrumental in giving to
to the making Of seizures here we do not intend
10 haye m the person guilty Of & smuggling gg 5rf9 I
too many prominent cases in the last year
Department that every case shall be prosecuted
to the utmost limit No leniency is to be shown 2
rope and buy diamond necklaces are usually Of
political influence to bear in letting them off. when
caught smugging by the simple payment 6 OF the
again the persons are likely to find themselves in
Cling Mir. Nissen said:
ever been before. don't believe there are any
large or responsible houses that counteihance ei n
We can get pretty good idea OF it when any house
s@asslaE raysIIs5s has been zsad tSad
6e ~ on To F Eiro9e exa- sIInToer and the number of
these who try to bring back diamonds Ge and odher
Many seizures have been made in the last few
YEARS + but as is with VT g gaPe[f & Ior neo3e o3y 6Iv
kneW it. they e9gd buy diamonds CHEAPER here ERE
prices to the rich Americans.
William H Theobald. ex-special agent of the
Treasury Department, declared yesterday that
there is smuggling going on at present
than ever before. He asserted that he knew of
four pearl necklaces, none worth less than
$4,000. being smuggled into this country for
wealthy women within the last few months. Mr.
TheobaId says he knows of several firms in Mai
dea Lane that are engaged in the unlawful I'M
portation of diamonds and precious stones
TheobaId's statement is in part as follows:
claim that it is utterly impossible for the Treas
porters' Protective Association or any other large
body get any information from the dlafnono
polishers of Antwerp or Amsterdam or from the
fliated with the smuggling Of diamonds make IL
rule when they purchase to give strict ORDERS tnaS
purchases they have made. .,,,,
| know what is considered to be thoroushIy
bIa hons uhic
smuggling Of diamonds for the last twenty years
This concern has one of its representatives living
unset diamonds. When he selects and purchases
8 lot of diamonds he informs the dealer from whom
he buys that If he ever gives Information to any
of his competitors TO the character OF tne gooqs
purchased the prices he has paid for them ne
will never again purchase from him mat Is a
This Concern is in league with the puTser and
chief steward OF certain ship. know both or tne
know the members of another concern in Maid,
forth on the Antwerp steamers, employed as stew
ards who successfully bring over any number It o.
every frip I am acquainted with still another nrIn
which purchases from snugglerS al the olanonoS
'iN- Within iir the last few months ! know of four
necklaces that have been lanqed n fnIs one of
these is worth $4,000 and one which was purcnaseo
of Rucharau. in Paris cost 250.UD francs, OF ABOUT
Eyer one of the women at present wearing these
l-gotten jewes is in esE6 S9et 11 % 05s of them are
the wives of bankers. and the fourth Is the "iie
Il have had any number Of interviews with Col
1ec4nr of the Port Stranahan about big smuggling,
end know that this official Is very deterrlnedq 10
,lIf ONT of existence the art of smuggling Parrcu-
larly Of diamonds
Concerning what Theobald had to say Mr,
Nissen declared that there was nothing SPECIFIC
in the statement that he could either affrm or