The Washington times., 1905-06-01
BARONESS DEWITT
OF NOBLE BIRTH
Prisoner in District Jail
Reveals Identity.
HOW THE FORTUNE WAS LOST
Alleged Theft, She Says, Grew Out of
Mistake in Packing Up
Clothing.

a striking example Of mans in
humanity to man is the life of the
Baron and Baroness Dewitz-Salmo, as
revealed by the true story OF their
raisfoTtures as told for the first time
today by the baroness through The
Times.
Primarily the history Of their lives
follows closely the history of various
wars. and more particularly the pres
e:it Russo-Japanese struggle in the Far
Last, and the reFerses Of the arms Of
the Great White Czar have left their
mark indissolubly upon the fortunes
OF this couple.
Although far away from the scene of
ros>ilities. the Baron and Baroness
Devil tz-Salnao were brought to America
By an interest close to the activities in
tae field of Emperor Nicholas widely
famed Cossacks. and the loss OF all
their capital was directly due to the
sudden desertion OF the capitalist with
whom they were In business, and on
whose account they had invested every
dollar. when he realized that the fall
OF Port Arthur meant the failure of
the venture.
Baroness Awaits Trial.
The baroness, heretofore known as
the Baroness de Vorts Selmo, and In
carcerated in the District jail under
, the name Of Alice Niesen. is awaiting
trial on the charge of stealing several
fans and articles of clothing from Mrs.
William A. Slater, 1871 I street north
west. with whom she found employ
Taent as maid when driven te the ne
cessity OF earning livelihood for her
self and her husband.
- Baron DEWITT is in New York with
cut funds TO come to Washington and
aid his wife. although his presence is
greatly desired at the approaching
trial OF the case. and is ekeing cut a
bare subsistence by chance employ
nent.
Until the present time much doubt has
been expressed as TO the genuineness OF
The Baroness Dewitz-Salmo's title, the
belief being freely stated that the title
vas assumed by an adventures anxious
TO excite public sympathy and escape
the penalty for her misdeeds.
Proof of Identity.
Today. however. The Times is in pos
session of absolute proofs that the
Baroness DeWitZ-Salmo is everything
that she claims to be and more-that she
and her husband are well known in all
the courts and highest social circles of
Europe. The facts were learned in this
manner:
The baroness employed as counsel
Attorney Burton T. Doyle and 10 him
intrusted her passports, marriage Ger
fiflcate, and the contract TO buy horses
for the Russian government entered
into by herself and her husband with
MAJ ]. Mcleod Cameron, an officer
IN the British army during the Boer
war, together with other letters, tele- |
Grams, etc. all tending to show posi- |
ef
IN this country, and particularly during |
the past few weeks when she was sub. |
Jeeted TO arrest and imprisonment, Were |
Just as she stated.
Message From London.
As final test of the authenticity OF |
the documents The Times sent a cable |
gram to j. Mcleod Cameron at the |
London address given by the baroness,
as follows:
Washington. D. c.. May q. 1906 !
y Mcleod Cameron,
Union Court
Old Broad street,
London, f. c.. England.
Baroness Amanda DEWITT, wife of |
otto DEWITT. claiming 10 know you. In /
her character and history may help ma |
WASHINGTON FINES"
To this the following answer was re-
ceived:
London. May 20.
:. Washington Times.
Washington
4 have known Baron and Baroness
DEWITT for nearly two years l know
nothing against the character Of either |
totn are well known on the European /
continent
''(signed) J. Mel CAMERON"
With copies OF these cablegrams and |
a letter Of introduction from her attor- |
9ley. in which the latter explained 10 th. /
baroness that much harm had already |
peen done by promiscuous publication of |
different stories about her case and that !