Los Angeles herald., 1905-04-07
'BLACKMA|L,' SAYS
GEN. FAULKENbERG
ALLEGED CONSPIRACY IN So
CALLED ARMY CIRCLES
War That Has Been Waging Between
Two Chinese Factions Locally
Has a Sensational
elimination
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between the two factions of the So
called Chinese imperial army, one
branch commanded by General Homer
Lea and the other by General Faulken-
berg, had a sensational elimination
last night, when an alleged attempt to
blackmail the latter was brought to
the attention of the police authorities.
That conspiracy to divulge secrets
Of one of the factions, for the payment
of a certain consideration, existed, the
police are firmly convinced. Accord
ingly, a number of those identified with
the different branches of the so-called
Chinese imperial army were called to
the central station and closeted for
several hours with Chief Hammel and
Captain of Detectives Bradish.
General FaullSenberg told the author
tiles early last evening that an effort
was being made to blackmail him by
two men. A special officer was placed
at his call.
In company with the officer, Gen.
Faulkenberg went to the Bimini baths
at $50 O'Clock. where the two men
we're supposed 10 meet tnenI- The men
failed to put in an appearance. but
one of them later called up Gen. Faul-
kenberg over the phone and made an
engagement with him at his home, 400
South Grand avenue, for o'clock.
Meeting Takes Place
This man met Gen. Faulkenberg at
the appointed hour Ind conversed with
him in front of his house. He then
left, going west on Fourth street, ac-
cording to the special officer, who was
watching his movements, to Hope
street, where he met another man and
talked with him.
William r. Sager, said to be con-
nected with the National Creditors
association, was the man who called
upon Gen. Faulkenberg. The man Sa-
ger met at Fourth and Hope streets,
after his conversation with Gen. Faul-
kenberg, was Capt. Ed Obanian of
Gen. Homer Lea's branch of the army.
Sager called at Gen. Faulkenberg's
shortly after s o'clock csain.
I'VE want $1,000 from you now" was
substantially what the officer says he
heard Sager tell Gen. Faulkenberg,
land if you don't give it We'll burn
you up in the newspapers"
According to Gen. Faulkenberg, he
was informed that Sager had a friend
who claimed to be able to "cloud" all
of the local newspapers, and this is
said to have been held out as threat
against him unless he would agree to
pay over $4,000.
Gen. Faulkenberg said he understood
that the $4,000 would not only be given
to "cloud" the newspapers, but for
tips of secrets employed by the fac
ton of the so-called Chinese imperial
army commanded by Gen. Homer Lea.
saaer Taken In Custody
Gen. Faulkenberg did not put up the
money asked for. or any part of it,
and Sager turned to leave his house.
Just then the officer stepped from be-
hind a screen and told him he would
like to take him to the police station
and investigate the affair.
AT lHe central Slatlon SaSer came
face to face with Obanian and Gen.
Faulkenberg. He made certain asser-
tions about Obanian, but the latter de-
MED them. Obanian admitted having
met Sager at Fourth and Hope streets,
however.
Sager explained that he was trying
to befriend Gen. Faulkenberg by offer
ing to secure certain secret informa-
tion from the command of Gen. Lea.
through certain sources. for the sum of
$4,000.
AS no money was passed between
Gen. Faulkenberg and Sager, or any
one else, the police abandoned further
investigation. Sager and Obanian,
who both appeared at the station in
custody of officers. were released.